© Matthew Buck Hack Cartoons

The controversy surrounding the tent city outside St Paul’s cathedral in London reminds that the established church in what we know today as the United Kingdom is still part of the state.

The reaction to the occupation, which is skilfully analysed by Andrew Rawnsley, also recalls a controversy past – Faith in the City.

Then Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie fell out with the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher over the effect her economic policies were having upon the general population. The resulting row pretty much ended the idea that the Church of England was the ‘Conservative Party at prayer’.