In a special church service for the new Parliament today, the Archbishop of Canterbury praised the courage of MPs and candidates who faced threats and abuse during the election campaign.
During his sermon, Archbishop Justin particularly warned against the normalisation of threats against women in politics.
He said, “Those who stood in the last election, whatever the result, are people of courage. For we face a time of danger without, and anger within our nation. Many of you will have endured abuse beyond the acceptable and normal in a campaign. Threats aimed especially at women are becoming normalised. Hustings held in churches have sometimes needed close protection officers.”
Preaching to an audience that included the Speaker of the House of Commons and new Labour and Conservative MPs, the Archbishop went on to applaud the UK’s recent peaceful transfer of power. He said: “I’ve had emails and WhatsApp’s from around the globe commenting on the speed, smoothness and grace of the process of changing the government. Fourteen hours from the exit poll to the appointment of a new Prime Minister.”
The service was conducted at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster, opposite the Houses of Parliament. Prayers were read by peers, Parliamentary staff and others, including the Reverend and Right Honourable The Baroness Sherlock OBE, and the Venerable Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. St Margaret’s is often referred to as the ‘parish church of the House of Commons’.
