Nomination

Today I drove down to Truro to hand in my nomination paper at Diocesan House - Esther, the Presiding Officer for this election - confirmed that it seemed to be in order.

Perhaps I should explain for anyone who has wandered into this blog by accident: the General Synod of the Church of England (rather like its parliament) is elected every five years and this is an election year. Each diocese holds its own elections - separately for the clergy and the laity. In this diocese we have to elect three lay representatives and it is for this election that I am now standing.

It has taken some persuading - and a lot of thought - to decide to stand, despite the fact that I have been doing things in the diocese for some time now, including being elected as Chair of the House of Laity - but that is a much simpler election than this one where there is real competition for the places.

Of course, much of this is down to the contentious issues, such as the possibility of ordaining women as bishops, which have so divided people in recent times. The people who vote in this election are the members of the various Deanery Synods and they quite reasonably want to know where candidates stand on such matters.

In Cornwall it is not practical to hold events - hustings - where all the candidates can be questioned and so I have decided to set up this blog. I will, through my election address, be inviting people to email me with anyu questions and I will publish the responses on this blog. I may even post opinions with being asked as the election proceeds.