General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Why I am standing again

Five years ago, I asked you to give me the opportunity of serving as a lay representative for the
Diocese of Oxford on General Synod. I have sought to make the most of that opportunity. I am now
seeking your support for re-election because I believe I still have much more to contribute, as the
experience of the last five years has taught me that more than ever the Church needs people who are
prepared to speak up and be counted, listen carefully, challenge where necessary and work
constructively to fulfil its mission. I came to General Synod with a particular concern about racial
justice and inclusion, informed both by my personal experience of discrimination within my own
profession and professional experience as a barrister specialising predominantly in discrimination law.
I have however tried to engage actively and constructively across a broad range of issues.

What I have done

During my first term I have not simply sat back to learn the ropes but sought to be an active member,
speaking in debates and engaging in discussions on issues that I believe are important to the future of
our Church:
•
Co-opted to Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC) reporting to
Archbishops Council
•
Member of special Task Group set up to report on the future of Racial Justice Governance
•
Appointed to newly formed Racial Justice Board
•
Engaged directly with the Church Commissioners
•
Provided and contributed to legal opinions to the Church Legal Office
•
Drafted amendment motion regarding increased funding for racial and disability justice
•
Spoken several times in main debates, including being quoted a few times in press coverage

One particular achievement of which I am proud is suggesting in a speech that the Church should
appoint a Lead Bishop for Racial Justice in the same way that it appoints Lead Bishops for key areas
of concern. I am delighted that my proposal has since been acted upon by the appointment in March
2025 of two joint Lead Bishops for Racial Justice. This illustrates how important it is not simply to
identify problems but to propose practical steps and then press for them to be implemented. My

amendment motion on racial and disability justice funding was only defeated on a vote by Houses but
was supported by the majority of Synod and voted for by both Archbishops, even though one of them
opposed the amendment during the debate. Subsequently, the full amount I had proposed for disability
justice funding was approved by Archbishops Council.

The roles I have been privileged to be appointed to have enabled me to contribute not only through
General Synod itself but directly to the very bodies working to address racial justice across the whole
Church and the need to confront racism within its own structures and culture. Over and above that, I
also have a particular interest in several other issues such as:
•
Safeguarding and ensuring that the Church takes seriously its responsibility to protect the
vulnerable and to redress the damage inflicted on victims of abuse
•
Increasing the participation and representation of young people in General Synod so that they may
have a meaningful voice (I continue to be involved in my local church as a leader with our youth
work)
•
Neurodiversity and the importance of ensuring that our churches are genuinely accessible and
welcoming to all
•
Living in Love and Faith, mindful of the difficult and painful issues this raises for the Church
•
The plight of Palestinian Christians and the wider issues regarding promoting peace and justice in
the Middle East
•
Clergy welfare and discipline, mindful of the increasing pressures being placed upon them and the
need to encourage more people to follow and not be put off from their calling into ministry
•
The fairness and manner in which funding decisions are taken particularly in relation to how
triennium funding is distributed from the funds made available by the Church Commissioners
•
Supporting the parish system
What I stand for
I believe in preserving the integrity of the gospel of Christ, without which we are all lost. I strongly
believe in justice and inclusion, as the gospel of Christ calls us not only to make disciples of all
nations but to teach them to obey everything Jesus has commanded (Matt. 28: 19-20). We are called
to proclaim Christ to a world which desperately needs hope. Jesus did not intend the Church to be
built, predominantly, for one particular ethnic group, social class, age group or type of person with
particular attributes. And yet, at the heart of everything we do Jesus calls us to care for one another
and to love one another. We must therefore demonstrate such love and compassion for all.
Why I am asking for your vote
I bring a commitment to my Christian faith, a willingness to listen, the confidence to speak when I
believe something needs to be said, and a determination to work with others even when we disagree. I
do not expect to agree with everyone in General Synod. Indeed, I think a healthy Synod should
contain people who challenge one another. But disagreement should not prevent us from treating one
another with respect or from working together for the good of the Church. I have attended several
meetings at Synod held by those with whom I disagree in order to gain insight into their perspective. I
now understand better how Synod works, where decisions are made, how issues develop and,
importantly, how an individual member can seek to turn an idea into action. That experience is
something I did not have when I first stood for election. General Synod is both a legislative body and
debating chamber. I believe my experience and training as a barrister enable me to contribute
constructively to both. I would be honoured to have your support for re-election to General Synod.

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