Ipsos polling for PA News Agency found that 28% of respondents want the next Archbishop of Canterbury to talk less about political topics, while 17% think they should speak out more. The poll also shows 37% regard it as acceptable for the Church’s senior religious leader to comment on immigration and asylum, whereas 25% believe it is not acceptable. The vacancy at Canterbury has persisted for almost a year since Justin Welby announced his resignation over safeguarding failings. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who has been acting as interim leader, has criticised Nigel Farage over his immigration stance, describing the proposals to deport migrants as isolating and short‑term, and saying they do not address the wider issues behind the crossings.

No shortlist for the post has been published. Among names linked to the role is Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, a former refugee who fled Iran as a teenager in 1980, who would be the first woman to hold the office if selected. Another figure mentioned is Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, a former epidemiologist who served on the Church’s Covid taskforce. The selection is made by a committee chaired by a former MI5 director-general, which must reach a two‑thirds majority before a nomination is sent to the Prime Minister for transmission to the King.

Public views on the role are mixed. More than half consider it acceptable for the archbishop to speak on homelessness and poverty, and 40% say it is acceptable to comment on welfare benefits. About a third think a new archbishop should speak out more on charitable causes and social issues. Welby was vocal on poverty and on controversial immigration policy, and the public’s interest in such topics has influenced opinions ahead of the appointment. Overall, 74% said they do not personally care who becomes archbishop, and 62% of Christians share that view. Around 18% were paying attention to coverage of the appointment. The Ipsos poll surveyed 1,100 British people aged 16 to 75, including 505 Christians, between 12 and 15 September.