Bishop Michael called to serve in the House of Lords

The Rt Revd Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, has been called to serve in the House of Lords as one of the Church of England’s Lords Spiritual.

Bishop Michael has received his writ of summons from the King and is expected to be introduced to the House in October.

He will continue his ministry as Bishop of Bath and Wells alongside his parliamentary responsibilities, contributing to debates, scrutinising legislation and voting in the House of Lords.

Speaking about his new role Bishop Michael said, “I am deeply honoured to have been called to undertake this responsibility. I look forward to representing the needs and interests of Somerset in the Upper Chamber, sitting as a non-political member who can work with people of all faiths and none, as well as with all political parties.

“I look forward to bringing my expertise in health and international development to my role.

“There will be an enormous amount to learn about how Parliament works. To enable this to happen, when parliament is sitting, I anticipate being in Westminster about one day a week as part of this role. I will also need to be in residence for two weeks each year to offer prayers for the House of Lords each day as it begins its proceedings.

“In order to speak well for Somerset, it is going to be really important that I continue to significant time worshipping and visiting in parishes, schools, chaplaincies and communities. This enables me to hear the achievements, concerns, hopes and experiences of people across our county, so that I can better understand all that is happening.

“Every day, it is an enormous honour to serve the people of our county. I look forward to building on what I have shared with you over the past four years, and to extending that in in this new way.

Bishop Michael will be introduced as a Member of the House of Lords at a ceremony on 27 October. 

There are 26 places in the House of Lords reserved for Church of England archbishops and bishops. Known collectively as the Lords Spiritual, they reflect the constitutional place of the Church of England, with the monarch as its Supreme Governor.

Five of those seats are held by virtue of office: the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester.

The remaining 21 seats are filled by eligible diocesan bishops in England as vacancies arise. Since 2015, legislation has made provision for eligible women bishops to enter the House ahead of male bishops who would otherwise have been next in line. The Lords Spiritual have the same rights to speak and vote as other members of the House while they hold their seats. A bishop also leads prayers at the beginning of each sitting day.

Unlike life peers, bishops do not hold their places in the Lords for life. Their membership is linked to holding the relevant episcopal office.