Letters - 17 July 2026
From Old hat to First principles
Old hat
I would like to publicly put it to Paul Parker and the Yearly Meeting clerks to speak in favour of the right of ‘Count Binface’ – should he be, by the grace of God, expressed through the people of Clacton-on-Sea, elected MP – to refuse to remove his bin (lid?) upon the floor of the House of Commons.
It has been suggested that, as his bin is a hat, it must be removed under parliamentary rules.
Friends have a long history of opposing all forms of hat-honour in parliament. According to the parliamentary historian Paul Seward, ‘The Quaker, James Naylor, when being examined by the House about allegations of blasphemy in 1656 insisted on wearing his hat: the House insisted on its removal.’
I see a natural kinship and the need for bold action from faith communities at this time to stand for this intergalactic space warrior’s dignity to go about lidded as his council made him.
I look forward to hearing the clerk response swiftly on this important and serious issue.
Tim Hall Farthing
Ecumenical meeting
Friends may have read in the 25 June edition of ‘Quake’, the email newsletter from Britain Yearly Meeting, about the visit of Cherry Vann to a special Meeting for Worship at Newport Meeting. She was joined by other Friends from within Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales (CCQW).
It was perhaps unclear in the article that Cherry was appointed as the archbishop of Wales. She continues to serve the diocese of Monmouth, which is part of the Church in Wales.
CCQW looks forward to working with Cherry and others, largely via Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales, which is the main ecumenical forum in Wales.
Carolyn Sansom, Co-clerk, CCQW
