At a time when this country needs strong, unambiguous leadership we are being sadly betrayed.

Instead of the smack of firm government and the snap-crackle-pop of inspired administration, we are getting the soggy squelch of national managers who only seem able to react to the public mood, rather than guiding and driving it.

A perfect example is the latest, pusillanimous decision by the Church of England's governing body, the General Synod, to change its rules and allow the remarriage of divorcees in church.

The catch is that the local vicar can decide whether he wants to marry you or not. But if he decides you are an unsuitable couple, you can always shop around until you find a more amenable soul. Postcode marriages are on the way.

Where is the strong, moral guidance the church should provide? Where is the determination to maintain ideological standards, to demonstrate its faith in what it truly believes?

It is hardly surprising its congregations have withered. With such irresolute leadership, the public is as cynical about vicars and bishops as it is about politicians.

And what do you make of the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev Michael Scott-Joynt who presented the House of Bishops' report on remarriage to the Synod?

When questioned, he said he had told members of his working party they were not debating this change because of the situation of the Prince of Wales. All I can say is if you believe they were not swayed by that consideration, you are living in cloud cuckoo land.

Do not forget that earlier, the Synod had thrown out an attempt to remove the Queen and the Prime Minister from the process of appointing bishops after being told the move would be a 'Trojan Horse' for disestablishment.

Arguments that their involvement was wrong in principle, politically dangerous, ecumenically embarrassing and theologically indefensible were rejected. Synod took the view that the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee was the perfect time to show its loyalty.

Given that attitude, it is not hard to believe they would do everything they could to accommodate the wishes and avoid compromising the position of Prince Charles, the future Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

However, in spite of the rash of headlines and comment suggesting the new ruling will clear the way for the marriage of Prince Charles to Mrs Parker Bowles, I find that very hard to understand.

As both were intimately involved in the break up of each other's marriages, that surely disbars them from re-marriage in church, even under the new rules.

The new Archbishop of Canterbury would also have to consider whether Prince Charles's marriage might cause 'hostile public comment or scandal' and if permitting it would be tantamount to consecrating an old infidelity.

What a web of intrigue the Church has woven for itself.