House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001

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House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001
Act of Parliament
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (variant 1, 1952-2022).svg
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title An Act to remove any disqualification from membership of the House of Commons that arises by reason of a person having been ordained or being a minister of a religious denomination and to continue the disqualification of Lords Spiritual from such membership.
Citation 2001 c. 13
Territorial extent 
  • England and Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
Dates
Royal assent 11 May 2001
Commencement 11 May 2001
Other legislation
Relates to
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801
Act of Parliament
Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (1801-1816).svg
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title An Act to remove Doubts respecting the Eligibility of Persons in Holy Orders to sit in the House of Commons.
Citation 41 Geo. 3. (U.K.) c. 63
Dates
Royal assent 23 June 1801
Commencement 23 June 1801
Repealed11 May 2001
Other legislation
Amended by
Repealed by House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001
Status: Repealed
Text of the House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 (c. 13) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Contents

Background

Previously clergy were disqualified to sit in the House of Commons due to the House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801 (41 Geo. 3. (U.K.) c. 63) and section 10 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975. [1]

The bill was a reaction to the selection of David Cairns, a laicised Catholic priest, as the Labour candidate for the safe seat of Greenock and Inverclyde. Member of Parliament Siobhain McDonagh had previously introduced similar legislation in 1999, but it had run out of parliamentary time. [2]

Criticism

The legislation was criticised by Conservative shadow minister Anne Widdecombe for, in her view, leading to conflict between "God and Caesar. [3] [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Commons paves way for priest MPs". BBC News. 1 March 2001. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "Would-be MP fights to change law". BBC News. 16 July 2000. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "PRIESTS AND ANGLICAN CLERGY MAY BECOME MPs". Local Government Chronicle. 7 February 2001. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.


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