Analysis of the 2026 General Synod elections suggests the Church of England remains closely divided.
Writing following the publication of the new Synod’s membership, theologian and commentator Revd Dr Andrew Goddard has examined the election results, including voting patterns, candidate affiliations and the likely balance of views across the three Houses.
The composition of the new Synod is explored by: the past Synodical experience of members, their age distribution, and the balance of men and women standing and being elected. Brief observations in relation to GMH and LGBTQI+ candidates and an evolution towards more of a 3-party (or 3-bloc) pattern of candidates is followed by exploration of the stance of the elected members on questions related to marriage and sexuality.
While acknowledging the complexity in analysing the results, his findings suggest that revisionists have likely secured a small majority among the clergy again but argues that the House of Laity is too close to call, in part because of the number of members where there is insufficient clear evidence of their views. He concludes that it seems likely the laity are more conservative than before, with the possibility of a conservative majority.
Goddard argues that this outcome raises serious questions about the wisdom of bringing the questions left unresolved at the end of Prayers of Love and Faith back into this new Synod whose term of office is almost co-terminous with that of Archbishop Sarah’s primacy. The fact that even among the clergy the revisionist majority is unlikely to reach as high as 55:45 means that standalone services now have no chance of passing given the need for 2/3 majority in every House. And any other significant changes will face major obstacles.
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