The Union tackled one of the pressing constitutional issues of our generation by asking whether coming decisions on the future of the UK’s political structure should also remove the Church of England’s established status within the United Kingdom, and thus its privileged position within British Government.
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PROPOSITION
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Giles Fraser is a Church of England priest, and a columnist for The Guardian. He is a former Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral; responsible for ethics and engagement with the City of London.
Andrew Copson is the youngest ever Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, and regularly writes for The Guardian and The New Statesman.
Nia Griffith is the MP for Llanelli and Shadow Minister for Wales. As an honorary associate of the National Secular Society, she has declared the existence of the Lords Spiritual as “totally unacceptable”.
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OPPOSITION
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Stephen Fry is an activist, comedian, writer, and actor. He identifies as an atheist and humanist, and is a staunch advocate of good science, education and the enlightenment.
Colin Bloom is Chief Executive of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, which aims to build links between the Conservative Party and the Christian community.
The Right Reverend Tim Stevens is the Bishop of Leicester and the Church of England’s lead spokesperson on constitutional issues.
