News

Church of England defends role in House of Lords in face of viral online petition

Published

3 years ago

February 18, 2023

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND has defended the work of bishops in the House of Lords following the launch of a petition to remove them from parliament.

They say bishops make “a unique and non-party political contribution in Parliament” and speak “openly, and often forcefully, for those in the margins”.

On Friday, broadcaster and writer Sandi Toksvig, launched a petition to remove the 26 bishops who sit in Parliament as the Lords

Spiritual, arguing the Church’s exemption from equality laws is “discriminatory” for women and the LGBT+ community.

Both the archbishops of Canterbury and York together with other 21 bishops, form the Lords Spiritual.

A Church of England spokesperson told Premier: “The Bishops in the House of Lords make a unique and non-party political contribution in Parliament, rooted in the Church’s role as a Christian presence in every community in England.

“They don’t take a party line, or vote as a bloc; they are not appointed because of political connections and they are the only group in the Lords whose numbers are limited, who have a fixed retirement age and who, because of their own dioceses, effectively represent a specific area of the country.

“This enables them to fulfil a very special role in Parliament – providing a day-to-day ethical and faith perspective on legislation and other business, drawing from their faith and what they see and hear first-hand in parishes and other networks across the country and overseas.

“That enables them to speak openly, and often forcefully, for those on the margins – whether on the impact of the universal credit two-child limit, the treatment of refugees and prisoners, human rights at home and abroad, gambling reform and getting justice for the victims of the cladding scandal, for example.

“Questions about their future role are, and always will be, a matter for Parliament.”

The petition, which has been signed by over 75,000 people – making it one of the top signed petitions on Change.org – reads as follows:

“26 bishops from the Church of England, selected by the church, sit as a matter of right in the House of Lords. No other faiths have this privilege, and nor do the other UK regions.

“These bishops can vote on every law that is passed – even laws that the church doesn’t have to abide by because it has legal exemptions from Equality legislation. The only other country in the world where representatives of the state religion automatically get a seat in the legislature is Iran.

“Whatever goes on inside religious organisations, the Church should not be allowed to hold sway in the Houses of Parliament. It doesn’t matter what your faith is or even isn’t, it’s discriminatory and it has to stop.

“This petition calls for the removal the Church Of England’s privilege to appoint bishops into the House of Lords, and remove existing bishops currently sitting in the House of Lords.”

In a TikTok video, which is currently going viral, Sandi Toksvig explains that there are only two countries on Earth where representatives of the state religion automatically get a seat in the legislature – Iran and the United Kingdom.

To view the petition visit: change.com/bishopsout

Entertainment

Saundersfoot Seafest to bring free family fun to the harbour this July

Published

4 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FREE community festival celebrating the sea, local food, seaweed and Pembrokeshire’s coastal environment will take place at Saundersfoot Harbour this summer.

Saundersfoot Seafest will be held on Saturday, July 11, offering a full day of activities, entertainment and hands-on experiences for residents and visitors.

The event will celebrate the area’s connection with the sea, coastal heritage and locally sourced food, with live cooking demonstrations, food sampling and interactive activities exploring Pembrokeshire’s shoreline.

There will be plenty for all ages, including guided seashore safaris, sandcastle building competitions, crabbing contests, and “seaweed and chips” sessions.

The festival will also feature pirate and dog fancy dress competitions, along with interactive exhibits, retail stalls, local produce, crafts and coastal-themed displays.

Boat trips and kayaking experiences will also be available, although a small charge will apply for these activities.

Sue Latham, Coordinator of Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, said: “Saundersfoot Seafest is a celebration of our coastline, our communities, and the incredible food and culture that comes from living so closely connected to the sea.

“We are delighted to welcome people of all ages to join us for a free, fun-filled day by the harbour.”

The event is supported by the Welsh Government, Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, Pobl Tir Môr, Saundersfoot Harbour, Saundersfoot Rotary Club, WWF Cymru and Wales Festival of Seaweed.

The Wales Festival of Seaweed will also take place in St Davids from September 10 to 13.

Farming

New Narberth farmers’ market to champion Pembrokeshire produce

Published

9 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS GIVEN NEW MONTHLY PLATFORM

A NEW monthly farmers’ market is set to launch in Narberth next month, giving Pembrokeshire producers a regular space to sell and showcase food grown, reared and made in the county.

Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership is launching the market at the Queen’s Hall, Narberth, on Saturday, June 13. It will then run monthly from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The market has been developed in collaboration with local growers Rufus and Ffion, of Hael Natural Produce, based in Clunderwen.

Organisers say it will bring together a wide range of local food and drink producers, with stalls expected to include fresh seasonal produce, artisan foods, baked goods and speciality items.

Among those taking part are Spirit Wood Wales, Big Green Elephant, Foxhill Preserves and Pencw Cheese.

Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership will lead on marketing and subsidise stall costs for the first three markets, in a bid to encourage strong early participation and reduce barriers for small and emerging producers.

The launch will also see Rufus and Ffion introduce a new local veg box scheme through Hael Natural Produce.

Rufus said: “I’m really excited to be launching my new veg box scheme at the farmers’ market.

“It’s a great opportunity to get fresh, locally grown produce directly to people in the community and to build something that connects people more closely with where their food comes from.”

Sue Latham, Coordinator of Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, said: “We are looking forward to creating a regular space in Narberth that supports local producers and gives the community consistent access to high-quality, local food.

“This market is about strengthening those connections and building something that can grow over time.”

Organisers are encouraging residents, visitors and food lovers to attend the launch and support the new initiative, which forms part of Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership’s wider work to strengthen local food networks across the county.

Further information is available from Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership at www.plfp.org.uk or by emailing [email protected].

Pic: Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership.

News

Welsh Conservatives name new shadow cabinet after Senedd election

Published

51 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have unveiled their new shadow cabinet following the Senedd election on Thursday (May 7).

Party leader Darren Millar MS said the new team would “hold Wales’ new Plaid Cymru Government to account” while seeking to act as a “constructive opposition” in the Senedd.

Mr Millar said: “I am proud to unveil my new Welsh Conservative team in the Senedd.

“The team brings together a wealth of talent and experience. It will hold Wales’ new Plaid Cymru Government to account and work tirelessly for the people of Wales, speaking up on the issues that matter.

“We will be a constructive opposition party in the Senedd, seeking to work with others, where possible, to effect positive change across the nation.

“That will include continuing to make the case for lower taxes, an end to wasteful spending, and offering solutions to fix our public services.”

Under the appointments, Darren Millar remains leader of the Welsh Conservatives and also becomes Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans.

Paul Davies MS has been named Deputy Leader, Shadow Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Shadow Minister for the Welsh Language, Culture, Tourism and Sport.

Natasha Asghar MS becomes Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, while Andrew RT Davies MS takes on the farming and environment brief.

Janet Finch-Saunders MS has been appointed Shadow Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy.

Peter Fox MS becomes Shadow Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, while Sam Rowlands MS has been named Policy Director and Shadow Minister for Education, Families and the Constitution.