UK government introduces bill to lift restrictions on Catholic and Jewish prime ministers

The UK government has introduced the Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill to end restrictions that prevent Catholic and Jewish prime ministers from performing all constitutional duties.

The bill would allow a prime minister to advise the monarch on Church of England appointments. Amendments brought into law in the late 18th and early 19th centuries removed many restrictions on Catholic and Jewish people in public life, but the rule regarding Church appointments was left in place.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office on July 20, is Catholic and currently transfers this responsibility to the lord chancellor. No Catholic or Jewish person has held the office of prime minister until now.