UK bill proposes to life historic 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 prime ministers to advise the monarch on Church of England appointments. While previous laws passed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries removed many barriers for Catholic and Jewish citizens in public life, the restriction regarding Church appointments remained.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office on July 20, is Catholic and currently transfers this specific responsibility to the lord chancellor.