Richard Chapman
@SelsdonChapman
Church. Politics. Things. Here a lot from 2013-24. Back again, for a bit. Also posting on Bluesky under http://richardachapman.bsky.social
Worth reading on how assisted dying is being promoted and normalised 🔽
The ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ is on the front page of many newspapers, and at the top of most news websites today. It may feel like it has got to this stage organically, but much of its success is due to an extremely strong marketing campaign from one organisation - Dignity in Dying…
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A month on from the Commons vote on assisted suicide, it’s clear that quite a few MPs were confused about the bill or influenced by misinformation. Here are 10 examples:
Thank you for this speech @danny__kruger . It was good to hear you & the Minister underline the importance of our established church/state relationship, and the central role played by Christianity in our history, culture and parliamentary democracy.
I gave a speech today in an empty chamber. It’s about the need for a Christian restoration.
“This is a line our nation must not cross,” was the message from the General Synod, after it voted, by a significant majority, to condemn a Bill to legalise assisted dying currently working its way through Parliament. #assisteddying #churchofengland churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/…
The Church of England’s General Synod today passed a motion by 238-7 votes, requesting 'His Majesty’s Government work to improve funding and access to desperately needed palliative care services instead of enacting a law that puts the most vulnerable at risk.’ #AssistedDyingBill
Falconer suggested that the Lords must ‘uphold’ what ‘the Commons have decided to go ahead with’. A rather novel downgrading of our second house . I’ve explored this further in the @spectator
Why the Lords doesn’t have to accept the Assisted Dying Bill The reality is that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords play an equal role in the passing of legislation, except when it comes to matters of financial privilege ✍️ Nikki Da Costa…
This is an important article by @nmdacosta which should be essential reading for Members of the House of Lords & all those following the parliamentary debate on the assisted suicide bill.
Why the Lords doesn’t have to accept the Assisted Dying Bill The reality is that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords play an equal role in the passing of legislation, except when it comes to matters of financial privilege ✍️ Nikki Da Costa…
The Jack Vettriano/Victoria Wood crossover I didn’t know I needed!
Reintroducing Church of Ireland bishops does not form part of the Government’s plan for House of Lords reform
New York Times on Mitterrand's 1984 address in the Royal Gallery to both Houses of Parliament. For years after, parli tour guides would tell visitors he spoke in French without an interpreter as a protest at the large wall paintings of Trafalgar/Waterloo nytimes.com/1984/10/25/wor…
This is, without a doubt, a really terrible idea.
Follow your faith or act for your constituents? Chris Coghlan, denied communion by his priest, says religious MPs and peers face a conflict of interest thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…
Michael Sheen excellent as Nye Bevan at the National Theatre tonight.
The ever-wise Meg Russell on here, pointing out that the longstanding obstacle to reform of the House of Lords is not Peers, but the House of Commons.
🚨 New episode out now! - Why is Keir Starmer struggling with parliamentary management? - New polling reveals the public's desire for bolder House of Lords reform. - Faith and politics collide over the assisted dying bill 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app:…