General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England, commonly referred to as the Church’s Parliament. Together with the Westminster Parliament, it is the only body in the land which is entitled to make national law for England. Synod considers and approves legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England, authorises new forms of worship, debates matters of religious and public interest, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.
Members of General Synod are arranged into three Houses: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy (all ordained members, excluding bishops), and the House of Laity, the lay (not ordained) members from every diocese of the Church of England. Members of the Houses of Clergy and Laity are elected by the clergy and lay members respectively of the Deanery Synods.
2026 General Synod election timetable for parishes
The next election to General Synod takes place in 2026. A full election timetable will be published shortly.
In the Diocese of Liverpool, we will elect 4 representatives for the House of Laity and 5 representatives for the House of Clergy. The electorate for this election will be the Deanery Synod representatives elected at parish APCMs in 2026. As local Deanery Synod elections are taking place in the same year, the timetable is tighter than usual.
What happens next
- Parish records and representative details will be gathered from PCC secretaries during May and June.
- Deanery Synod Secretary checks will take place in July.
- 29 July – Electors will receive a letter from the Presiding Officer explaining the nomination and voting process.
- Results of the election will be declared in October.
General Synod representatives 2021-2026
Representation on the Church of England General Synod is based on the size of the diocese. We currently have five representatives for the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. In addition, the Bishop of Liverpool sits by right in the House of Bishops.
House of Laity
- Mr Gabriel Chiu
- Mrs Nadine Daniel
- Mr Richard Denno
- Mr Nigel Lea-Wilson
- Canon Debra Walker
House of Clergy
- Rev Dan Leathers
- The Venerable Pete Spiers
- Rev Martin Thorpe
- The Venerable Dr Miranda Threlfall-Holmes
- Rev Kate Wharton