Bishop enters House of Lords

The Bishop of Manchester the Rt Revd Dr David Walker has taken up his seat as a member of the House of Lords.

The clergyman, who grew up in Mossley, took his seat on Monday, September 7, as one of the 26 Lords Spiritual. 

He will represent the city and diocese of Manchester. He will have a particular brief among the bishops to speak on issues of Housing and International Trade.

Bishop David (pictured), who attended Friezland School in Greenfield, Manchester Grammar School and worshipped at St George’s Church in Mossley, has been Bishop of Manchester since September 2013. 

When he was enthroned as the 12th Bishop of Manchester at Manchester Cathedral, Rt Revd Walker made the journey from St George’s Church, where he was baptised when he was a child, and then walked to Ashton before taking the tram to Manchester.

During his time as the Bishop he has helped lead the Greater Manchester area through its response to the Arena terrorist attack of 2017, and worked closely with civic and other partners to address the plight of homeless people.

He has become a regular voice on radio and TV, contributing to debates on religion and ethics, as well as items of topical interest.

Bishop David was introduced as a member of the House of Lords during a short, formal ceremony in Parliament. He took an oath of loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen and signed a Code of Conduct and Register of Members.

As one of the 26 Lords Spiritual, Bishop David will continue as Diocesan Bishop of Manchester, with Lords’ responsibilities now forming part of his ongoing workload. 

He will also represent a particular ‘portfolio’ in the House of Lords; becoming an official spokesperson for the Lords Spiritual on subjects aligned to his own expertise and/or interests. These include housing, poverty and inequality, international trade, and issues that impact on the life of people in Greater Manchester and the Northern Powerhouse.

Rt Revd Dr David Walker said: “It is a great honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of becoming a member of the House of Lords. 

“I am grateful for the prayers and best wishes of people across the Diocese of Manchester as I prepare to take on this new role. 

“I am looking forward to being a new voice for the Manchester city region; to engaging in debates on matters of public interest from a Christian perspective and to joining other members of the House of Lords in holding the Government of the day to account.”

At the ceremony in the Lords Bishop David was supported on the floor of the House itself by current Lords Spiritual, the Bishops of Worcester and Birmingham.

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HONOUR: The Bishop of Manchester the Rt Revd Dr David Walker has entered the House of Lords.