Church of England bishops have expressed their concerns over a ‘no deal’ Brexit saying it is “unlikely” that leaving the EU without an agreement will lead to “reconciliation or peace in a fractured country” and expressing their concern over its effect on the poor.
In an open letter released on Wednesday, the 25 bishops – who include Sally Mullally, the Bishop of London, David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, and Christine Hardman, the Bishop of Newcastle – said that while they supported the move for Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, to chair a citizens’ forum in Coventry, “we also have particular concerns about the potential cost of a No Deal Brexit to those least resilient to economic shocks”.
“As bishops with pastoral responsibilities in communities across urban and rural England, we respond to the call by Jesus to tell the truth and defend the poor,” they wrote. “We also recognise that our obligations go beyond England and impact on relations with the wider UK and our neighbours in the EU.”
They added that while the government is “rightly preparing” for leaving the EU without an agreement in place, it was “unlikely, however, that leaving without an agreement, regardless of consequences, will lead to reconciliation or peace in a fractured country”.
“‘Getting Brexit done’ will not happen on exit day, and we have to be transparent about the years of work ahead of us in bringing the country together for a better future. We also need to be frank about the potential costs. Our main social and political priority must be to leave well, paying particular attention to the impact of political decisions on those most vulnerable.”
The bishops also expressed concern about political polarisation and language that “appears to sanction hate crime” saying that the reframing of the language of the political discourse was urgent, and the “ease with which lies can be told and misrepresentation encouraged”, noting that “leaders must be honest about the costs of political choices, especially for those most vulnerable”.
“The levels of fear, uncertainty and marginalisation in society, much of which lies behind the vote for Brexit, but will not be addressed by Brexit: poor people, EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Europe must be listened to and respected.”
They also called for the concerns of people living on both sides of the Irish border to be listened to and added that “democracy is endangered” if the sovereignty of parliament is ignored.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week announced he had scheduled the Queen’s Speech for 14th October, meaning parliament will not sit between mid-September and that date. Britain is set to leave the EU, with or without a deal, on 31st October.
