There is no prohibition on a Catholic
or a Jew becoming Prime Minister, but, as matters stand, it could create
constitutional complications. These
relate to the Prime Minister’s role in advising the monarch on senior
appointments in the Church of England.
The Catholic Relief Act of 1829, section 17, asserts that no Catholic
can offer counsel to the monarch on ecclesiastical matters. A provision in the Jews Relief Act of 1858,
section 4, places the same restriction on followers of that faith. But there is no prohibition in law for those
of the world’s other major faiths, let alone individuals that have opted for
some of the more obscure religions or bizarre cults. It is perhaps significant to note that Tony
Blair converted to Roman Catholicism after he ceased to be Prime Minister.
There
is no doubt that Prime Minister Tony Blair deferred his conversion to Roman
Catholicism until he ceased to be Prime Minister because of the complications
that were involved.
The provisions in the Catholic Relief Act of 1829 and the
Jews Relief Act of 1858 preventing Catholics and Jews from advising the monarch
on ecclesiastical matters should be repealed.
As Cardinal Newman said “There are no religions in heaven”.
