UK Green Party Proposes Separating Church of England from State Ahead of 2029 Election

The British Green Party, a left-wing political party, has stated its intention to separate the Church of England from the state if it wins the next general election, which must occur before August 2029. The Church of England has been the established church since the 16th-century Reformation, with the British monarch serving as its supreme governor.

Critics have expressed concerns about the proposal's implications for British identity. Michael McManus, director of research at the Henry Jackson Society, a UK think tank, told Fox News Digital that Britain has clear Christian origins and culture, and disestablishing the Church of England could reject that foundation without specifying a replacement.

Actor and comedian John Cleese commented on X that the UK has been based on Christian values at its deepest level, regardless of dogma, and that replacing them with other values would alter the nation's character.

The Green Party has seen rising popularity in recent polls. A YouGov poll placed the party second behind Reform UK, with strong support from voters aged 18 to 24, as well as among women and other demographic groups. Another YouGov poll linked this rise to younger voters.

A Green Party spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the party will detail its government plans at the next election, focusing on issues like the climate crisis, cost of living, and rebuilding public services including the NHS, with priorities shaped by members.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has defended the idea of a secular state. He has also supported legalizing drugs such as heroin and cocaine, along with specific climate policies and positions on Israel, which have drawn separate criticism. The proposal comes amid ongoing constitutional changes, including the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026, passed last month, which removed the last hereditary aristocrats from Parliament.

Currently, 26 seats in the House of Lords are reserved for Church of England archbishops and bishops, known as the Lords Spiritual.

The debate over church-state separation occurs as the UK approaches a local election cycle in 2026. For the Green Party, the policy aligns with commitments to a diverse and inclusive Britain. Affected parties include religious institutions, political reformers, and voters concerned with constitutional traditions, with potential impacts on parliamentary composition and national identity.

The next general election will determine if the proposal advances, while broader issues like economic pressures and environmental concerns may influence its prominence.