This autumn sees a decisive democratic vote – it is of course the decision of the church's General Synod to approve the final legislation on female bishops. What makes it poignant is two things – first that the process has been so very slow that I suspect I used the very same jokey intro four years ago at the time of the last presidential election. Second, there are still smart people who think the vote may be lost.

There are not enough dedicated opponents of female bishops to muster a blocking third in any of the three "houses" of synod – although it is close in the House of Laity. But their ranks may be swelled by the dedicated supporters, who feel that the present legislation is an unacceptable compromise that enshrines discrimination.