In Church and State, Andrew Partington argues that the contribution of
the Church of England bishops to the House of Lords during the Thatcher
years was overwhelmingly critical of the government; failed to have a
significant influence in the public realm; was inefficient, being
undertaken by a minority of those eligible to sit on the Bench of
Bishops; and was insufficiently moral and spiritual in its content to be
distinctive. On the basis of this, and the likely reduction of the
number of places available for Church of England bishops in a fully
reformed Second Chamber, the author argues for an evolution in the
Church of England's approach to the service of its bishops in the House
of Lords. He proposes the Church of England work to overcome the genuine
obstacles that hinder busy diocesan bishops from contributing to the
debates of the House of Lords and to its life more informally. ""Andrew
Partington has written a thorough analysis of the role of the bishops in
the House of Lords during the Thatcher years. This study casts light on
an issue of the relations of church and state still very much alive in
the early years of the twenty-first century."" --David W. Bebbington,
Professor of History, University of Stirling, Stirling ""This is a
fascinating and powerfully argued book. Of its relevance I have no
doubt. This analysis is unsettling reading for all bishops and demands
an urgent appraisal by the Church of England of the role of bishops in
the House of Lords."" --George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury
""Rumors fly and accusations abound concerning the failure of the
bishops to exploit their role as prophets of the Lord in the House of
(human) Lords. But until now, no one has done the research to provide us
with the evidence to enable us to make considered judgments. Andy
Partington's work is thorough, authoritative and fascinating. He helps
us understand the limitations the bishops face, the range of issues they
tackle and how, during Margaret Thatcher's premiership, they were the
true opposition. This book will provoke sympathy and indignation in
equal measure. It is a model of careful research."" --Derek Tidball,
Principal, London School of Theology ""Dr. Partington has provided a
very valuable contribution to Christian thought and reflection. This is
now an essential acquisition for libraries in theological colleges,
departments of theology and of politics and history, and will be of
considerable interest to historians and students of Anglicanism and of
the British Parliament."" --Steve Walton, Senior Lecturer in Greek and
New Testament Studies, and Academic Secretary, London School of Theology
Andy Partington is Director of Training at London School of Theology
