As Anglicans begin again the convoluted and secretive process for the appointment of a Bishop of London, this blog is moved to express a preference.

There are those who favour Stephen Cottrell, an intellectual lightweight whose right-on connections fit well with the direction of movement in the Church of England.

But this blog is championing the Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Speaker’s Chaplain of the House of Commons.

What the CofE needs now is to embrace its Katherine Jefferts-Schori moment – and right down to the hyphen, Rose could give them that. True, she would be unlikely to enjoy the invitations to Highgrove of her predecessor. But what the hell! Too long have English Anglicans nervously toed the waters of modernity. It is time to plunge in and face the consequences.