Last night I spent a pleasant evening, in a good Restaurant, having a meal with a very good friend of mine and her husband. My friend is a Vicar , her husband shares her faith.

During the course of the night the conversation, as it does over several hours, varied between numerous topics and much as I love the lady I would not want her to be a representative in the House of Lords merely on the basis of her faith.

I am quite sure she would make a valuation contribution to any discussion at any level but I could not sanction a position for her in the House on Lords based on her faith.