Leading By Example

The Anglican Church is ready to lead us into the next round of the War on Poverty. Specifically, poverty amongst chauffeurs:

Most senior Church of England bishops still use chauffeur-driven cars despite advice that they should switch to hire cars or taxis, an official report disclosed yesterday.

Thirty-five of the 44 diocesan bishops had full-time, part-time or occasional drivers last year, said the study.

Of the 113 diocesan and suffragan (junior) bishops, 105 used cars supplied by the Church Commissioners.

The figures are disclosed in the House of Bishops' report on the bishops' office and working costs in 2002. It says the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Perry, spent more than £27,000 on his driver, car and insurance last year.

The former Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Michael Turnbull, had a bill of more than £23,000 and the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Graham Dow, spent more than £22,000.

I believe the phrase is Limosine Liberal.