(SeaPRwire) –   LONDON: The UK’s left-wing Green Party has announced its intention to disestablish the Church of England from the state should it be victorious in the next general election, which is required to take place by August 2029.

Since the Reformation in the 16th century, the Church of England has held the status of the “established” church, with the British monarch acting as its supreme governor. To traditionalists, this connection is far more than symbolic; it is considered the fundamental cornerstone of British identity.

The Greens are facing criticism for their aim to sever the church from British politics, a move opponents describe as an effort to erase centuries of history and tradition, and the most recent assault on Christianity in the United Kingdom.

As reported last month by GB News, the Green Party’s policy document declares: “No person shall hold office in the state, or be excluded from any such office, by virtue of their or their spouse’s membership or non-membership of any religion or denomination of religion.”

Michael McManus, Research Director at the UK think tank the Henry Jackson Society, informed Digital, “Britain is a tolerant society but one with distinct Christian origins and culture. An objective to disestablish the Church of England might be interpreted as a rejection of that moral foundation, without any clarity on what would take its place.”

Prominent individuals have also entered the discussion. Actor and comedian John Cleese responded to a comment on the Greens’ plan on X, stating: “The UK has always been fundamentally grounded on Christian values, irrespective of dogma. Despite the numerous errors committed by churches, British people have been shaped by Christ’s teachings for centuries. If these values are supplanted by Islamic ones, this will cease to be Britain.”

The Greens are an expanding political influence, having recently secured second place behind Reform UK in a YouGov poll. A separate YouGov survey connected the party’s growing support to younger voters, indicating a majority of 18 to 24-year-olds back them, in addition to strong performance among women and other demographics.

A Green Party spokesperson said to Digital, “We will be presenting our comprehensive plans for government when the next General Election is called, following the same process as the previous election. Our priorities will continue to be shaped by our members. These will focus on the pressing and genuine needs of people and the planet, like addressing the climate emergency, reducing the cost of living, and restoring our public services, such as the NHS. We are concentrated on the matters that most affect everyday people.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has advocated for a secular state. He has also been criticized for his stance on legalizing drugs like heroin and cocaine, his climate change policies, and his anti-Israel views.

The timing of the Green Party’s initiative is especially delicate as it follows the passage of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 last month, which eliminated the final hereditary aristocrats from Parliament. With the hereditary principle now abolished, the “Lords Spiritual” are seen as the next obvious focus for those seeking constitutional change. Twenty-six seats in the House of Lords are currently allocated for Church of England archbishops and bishops.

With the UK approaching a local election cycle in 2026, the debate over “Church and State” is poised to become a divisive political issue. For the Greens, it symbolizes their dedication to a “diverse and inclusive” Britain. For their critics, it is a perilous step that threatens to “de-Christianize” the nation during a period of significant social instability.

It is yet to be determined if this proposal will galvanize a new “religious vote” or be overshadowed by more urgent concerns. Commentators note that what is evident is the established Church’s role is increasingly being perceived within the context of a more intense and politically divided conflict.