General Synod Election Candidates 2026

The Rev’d Canon James Blandford-Baker
Candidate for General Synod
I have enjoyed being
part of the Diocese
of Ely for the last 20
years and with our
new Bishop Sarah it
is an exciting place
to be with lots going
on and many good
challenges for the
followers of Jesus
Christ! I am offering
myself again for election to General Synod be­
cause I am passionate about the Church and its
role in society at a critical time in our history. It
has been a privilege to serve on General Synod
as your representative over the last five years;
I would count it an honour to serve again and
further the causes that affect parish clergy.
I believe the calling of the Church of England
is to live out and communicate the Good News
of Jesus to our nation in the power of the Holy
Spirit. The Kingdom of God not only transforms
the lives of individuals but whole communities;
this perspective is deeply biblical and Anglican!
My experience in the parish, in the Diocese of
Ely and the wider Church has given me a broad
perspective on the hopes and fears of many
clergy colleagues. I enjoy listening and talking
to others, whatever their background, and hope
to make a positive contribution in representing
the clergy of the Diocese in the discussions of
General Synod.
Who Am I?
I grew up in a Christian home in South East
London, studied mechanical engineering in
Scotland and worked in university research (on
projects including climate change and vibration
in complex rotor systems). My background in
research has given me an eye for detail and a
concern for properly informed conversations
and decisions.
I trained for ordination in Nottingham and
was ordained in 1993, serving my curacy in
suburban Birmingham (Quinton) before a first
incumbency in West London (Acton).
While in London I also served as Director of
Ordinands for the Willesden Episcopal Area of
the Diocese of London, was a Director of Post
Ordination Training and taught New Testament
to trainee Readers (LLMs).
Since 2006 I have been incumbent of Histon
and Impington and, from 2007, Rural Dean of
North Stowe.
I strongly believe in clergy having a healthy
hinterland and I enjoy making fine furniture,
repairing clocks, programming microcontrollers
and gazing at the night sky through my
telescopes.
I am married to Katharine (a copy editor) and
we have two grown-up children.
What Are the Issues Facing Synod?
The Church of England is deeply divided; this
is damaging our mission and ministry to the
nation and blighting much good work that we
could be doing at a time when the Holy Spirit
seems to be opening up new and exciting
opportunities for the Good News of Jesus
Christ. A key priority therefore is for General
Synod to seek unity which is rooted in the
gospel in the following areas:
• Declining numbers of young people: Despite
the headlines, the Church is still declining
in numbers overall on the predicted ten-year
trajectory. The Church of England explicitly
wants to ‘grow younger’ but in Ely Diocese
just 14 churches have 25 or more children
on a Sunday. One of my parishes has a lively
and flourishing work among children and
young people—the other doesn’t, despite
several false dawns. With the significant
differences in church size and context in our
Diocese we need to look at solutions to these
mission challenges that support local parish
clergy and laity in ways which are relevant to
their situation (rather than importing ‘big’
church solutions).
• Sexuality: The LLF process has been deeply
painful for people on all sides of the
debate, especially over the last five years
of this Synod. Synod has agreed to further
exploration of the issues with the Working
Groups. I will listen carefully to the outcome
of these and support Synod drawing this
painful process to a close with a settlement
that listens carefully to the views of all.
• Clergy Wellbeing: The wellbeing of the
clergy continues to be a challenge with the
increasing workloads and poor mental health
of so many of us. Synod needs to encourage
and resource much more work in this area at
the structural level, ensuring that clergy are
not being asked to do impossible jobs with
unrealistic expectations.

• Parish Ministry and Church-planting: If
the Church is to grow we must plant new
congregations. This is a particular challenge
in Ely Diocese with so many new housing
areas (two of the largest are in my deanery
in Waterbeach and Northstowe) and it cannot
happen without national support.
• Safeguarding: Safeguarding continues to be
hugely challenging for the Church of England
nationally. We must do what we need to
create safe spaces for all. This requires good
safeguarding practice—but also that we
avoid the weaponisation of safeguarding and
protect against vexatious complaints.
• Racism, Sexism and Inclusion: The Church
continues to struggle to live out the big
vision of the multi-ethnic people of God
in the New Testament; this profoundly
undermines the message of Jesus Christ
and harms our mission. I have a particular,
personal, interest and concern for the
inclusion in the Church of those with autism,
ADHD and similar conditions. Synod needs
to take action in all these areas, avoiding
the polarisation that is prevalent in our
culture and ensuring what we do is based on
evidence.
• Transparency: I have campaigned about this
since my first session of Synod five years
ago. Things have improved (for instance the
House of Bishops now publish their minutes)
but there is still a long way to go in many
areas. This is long-term cultural change and
I will be relentless in pursuing this if re-
elected.
What Have I Done So Far on Synod?
I have asked formal questions (the way at Syn­
od to hold those in authority to account) on a
wide range of issues (evangelism, transparency,
clergy wellbeing, pensions, clergy retirement
housing and the Crown Nominations Commis­
sion as well as others).
My Private Members’ Motion in July 2025 was
passed nem con and led to the restoration of
the clergy pension to 2/3rds of the benchmark
stipend and an ongoing review of pensions to
address many outstanding issues for clergy
wellbeing in retirement.
I am one of two members of General Synod
appointed to the Clergy Discipline Commis­
sion which oversees the implementation of the
Clergy Discipline Measure (soon to become the
‘improved but not yet perfect’ Clergy Conduct
Measure). Much of my time on this is spent ad­
vocating for the parish clergy and ensuring that
the measures do not simply serve the needs of
the institution.
What Do I Bring?
Why would you vote for me? Here are a few
suggestions:
• A Commitment to Parish Ministry
I bring a deep commitment to parish ministry
in its many forms and across traditions,
having worked as a Rural Dean for over 19
years. I have 30 (joyful) years’ experience in
training curates (12 and counting!) and LLMs.
I love working in teams and with others in the
parish and believe that the coal face of the
parish is the highest calling of the ordained
ministry.
• A Desire to Learn and Grow
I am deeply conscious of God’s call on my life
to keep listening and growing as a follower
of Jesus Christ. The Church belongs to Him
and not to anyone else, wherever they come
from! I recognise that courage, humility
and prayerfulness are essential in making a
worthwhile contribution to General Synod.
If elected, I will greatly value your prayers;
please pray for me.
• A Commitment to Clergy Wellbeing
During my time on Synod I have had a special
concern for clergy wellbeing, advocating for
improvements to the stipend, the pension,
retirement housing provision and support for
our mental health. There is much work still to
do; if elected I will continue to listen carefully
and pursue these matters for the good of my
clergy colleagues.
Questions? How to Contact Me
I’d love to hear from you with any questions or
comments you may have:
[email protected]
01223 320425

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