Bishop Michael Beasley introduced to House of Lords

The Rt Revd Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, has been formally introduced to the House of Lords as one of the Church of England’s Lords Spiritual. During the ceremony in the upper chamber, Bishop Beasley presented his Writ of Summons and took the Oath of Allegiance to the Crown.

He was accompanied by the Rt Revd Dr Joanne Grenfell, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford. As a member of the Lords Spiritual, Bishop Beasley holds the same rights as other members of the House of Lords, including the ability to participate in debates, scrutinize legislation, vote, and serve on committees.

There are 26 seats reserved in the House of Lords for Church of England archbishops and bishops, reflecting the constitutional role of the Church of England. Following the ceremony, Bishop Beasley expressed his intention to bring the perspectives of Somerset to parliamentary life.