Momentum is building for a major overhaul of the House of Lords, with growing calls for the removal of 26 Church of England bishops.

According to The Standard, MPs supported the latest reform bill which targets the remaining hereditary peers, and some argued the bishops’ presence is outdated and unfair, particularly for those of other faiths or none.

Former minister Sir Gavin Williamson led the charge, stating that it is “fundamentally wrong” that the bishops maintain exclusive representation, while others, including Catholics like his own children, have no voice.

He plans to table an amendment to remove the bishops entirely from the upper chamber, criticising their lack of reflection of modern UK society.

Sir Edward Leigh, another Conservative MP, echoed Williamson's sentiments, suggesting a more inclusive approach that would allocate seats to a broader range of Christian denominations and non-Christian faiths. 

Debate over the role of the bishops forms part of the wider discussion on reforming the House of Lords.

The government has committed to gradually updating the system but has yet to set a clear timeline for further changes, including the potential introduction of a more representative second chamber.

Supporters of the reforms argue that the Church’s role in politics has increasingly blurred, with bishops acting more like politicians than spiritual leaders, which risks detracting from their primary religious duties. 

The bill to remove hereditary peers passed its second reading, and the debate on the bishops’ future continues, with some MPs likening the current system to something out of Game of Thrones.

Further scrutiny of the reforms is expected in the coming months.