General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Address

Fr Daniel Howard
Liverpool North & Walton Deanery

Proposed by: The Rev’d Mike Hindley,
Associate Vicar, St James in the City.

Seconded by: The Rev’d Canon Nicola Milford,
Vicar, All Hallows, Allerton.
Area Dean, Liverpool South

Why me?

About me * Born and raised in Liverpool,
Ihave contributed to synodical life within the

Vicar of St Columba, Anfield diocese since I was a teenager, and would value the

Dean of the Chapter opportunity to contribute on a bigger scale, with a
of the Transfiguration local voice.

Assistant DDO * Several clergy colleagues have encouraged me to
Vicar, St Margaret & All Hallows, stand on the basis of my belief in parish ministry in
Warrington, 2017-2020 this Diocese as well as the wider church.
Deanery Lead for Discipleship, Warrington, * Iam committed to working with all people, and
2017-2020 share good relationships across traditions and

Curate, St Columba, Anfield, 2014-2017 theological divides.

• As a society priest, I come from a tradition that is

Tam married to Jessica, who works for the underrepresented locally and nationally on key
Diocese as the Bishop's Appointments decision making bodies — I could offer a different
Secretary, and we have two children. perspective to the national conversations.

“Having ministered alongside Daniel, as, together we led the Leaders Leading your Church into Growth sessions
in the Diocese, I am delighted to Second Daniel's Nomination for General Synod. I have witnessed Daniel's desire
for Kingdom growth across the traditions, his commitment to mutual flourishing and mentoring, therefore
recognise his support and encouragement for all, placing God firmly at the centre of his ministry. Committed to
the growth and thriving of parishes, Daniel will be a strong advocate for a fair distribution of the church's
resources; people, training and financial, enabling more people to know Jesus, more acts of justice to be carried out
and more leaders embodying their call for the furtherance of God's mission and ministry.”

The Reverend Canon Nicola Milford, Rector of All Hallows, Allerton
and Area Dean of Liverpool South

Contact me

St Columba’s Vicarage
Pinehurst Avenue
L47UQ
07752 491 470
[email protected]

I stand for...

Evangelism

Evangelism must remain our first priority as the
Church. I believe that it is crucial to train and
equip all the laity for this task; my commitment
to this end has been demonstrated recently
through the organisation of the ‘Ready witha
Reason’ conference in 2025 at the Cathedral,
which attracted two hundred people. It is my
belief that the church must continue to keep this
vision at the forefront of all its work and offer
pathways for people to truly fulfil the vocation
common to their baptism. Given the current
statistics, and in light of the spiritual hunger in
society, this needs more work and attention.

Generous Resourcing

Why is the Church doing this? Faithful
Christians repeatedly ask why some forms of
parish ministry attract significant investment

while others struggle to survive. Why do
Catholic, liberal and traditionalist parishes so
often feel overlooked? And why are poorer
parishes facing closure? “It’s simply a matter of
funding” is no longer sufficient. If we believe in
“a Christian presence in every community”, our
financial priorities must reflect that conviction. I
would advocate for fairer, more transparent
resourcing: supporting flourishing mission,
encouraging growth, and sustaining Christian
presence where communities are poorest and
most vulnerable, across every theological
tradition. We should invest in hope.

Marriage

I would oppose any change to the doctrine of
marriage, as described in Canon B30, which
affirms that marriage it is an exclusive,
permanent and lifelong union between one man
and one woman ‘till death do them part’.

Please consider giving me your first
preference vote.

Thank you

Daniel Howard

The Parish

I believe that the one of greatest treasures of the Church
of England is the parish system. I am committed to the
ideal of one priest one parish arrangement, that has
served the nation well for centuries. People relate
locally; in preserving the parish we honour the local and
the people who live in that place. I believe the parish
states boldly: we care for you. To this end, the cure of
souls held by the incumbent offers missional
opportunity that should be preserved and strengthened.
I would vote for measures that support this point.

Mutual Flourishing

I long to see all clergy, women and men alike, flourish in
their ministries throughout the Church of England. For
me, mutual flourishing means creating a Church where

one group’s flourishing does not come at another’s
expense, and where genuine difference is held together
with generosity, charity and respect. Recent petitions
and comments following several ‘Statements of Needs’
for prospective diocesan bishops remind us that trust
remains fragile. Some traditionalist clergy and laity feel
their place increasingly uncertain, particularly amid
calls to reconsider arrangements established by the
House of Bishops. The recent claim (Church Times, 14
November 2025) that traditionalist views on holy order
create a ‘fertile environment for sexism and abuse’ has
caused considerable hurt. We need to listen carefully,
resist hostile language and avoid unnecessary hurt. We
must patiently build relationships of trust. Inclusion
should make space for genuine difference, rather than
require uniformity. We can, and should, seek a Church
in which all can flourish.
Ministry
Being a priest in today’s church is as much a challenge
as it is a joy. Surveys declare that clergy have never felt
as pressured as they do now, by administration,
safeguarding, buildings, and evangelisation (in a largely
secular country). Often these tasks fall to them, given
that skilled, active laity are frequently time poor. The
Church needs to reinvest in its clergy and love them,
following Christ, the Good Shepherd. What is needed?
Investment that actually resources ministry amid
contemporary challenges. Investment in clergy housing
to aid wellbeing. Investment in priesthood itself, so that
it is counted as a gift to be treasured when the business
management model has prevailed.

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