Next Archbishop of Canterbury / Gary Boswell / 17 April 2012 /

For all the respective merits of the different candidates to fill the job of Archbishop of Canterbury, we shouldn't underestimate the importance of their name. History has shown us that it does matter, says Gary Boswell.

Departing Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams says his successor will need " the constitution of an ox and the skin of a rhinoceros". Doesn't actually sell it as the ideal job does it? And for the first time in its 1000+ year history, the post of spiritual leader of the British Isles has been advertised down the job centre!

Fairly prescriptive credentials required for applicants. You need to be a practising bishop (and therefore not a woman) and although the salary and the perks are reasonably attractive (around 70K per annum and your own chauffeur driven car), you also need a masterplan for getting bums back on the seats of the nation's crumbling church portfolio. A nifty line in uniting divisive factions will also be an asset!

It's clearly not a job that we lesser mortals need consider applying for. As always though, there is chance to make a few loaves and fishes for the table by backing the winner. And the market is a fascinating one. The Guardian went into print in March on the announcement of Dr Williams' retirement with four names for next in line: John Sentamu*, Graham James**, Richard Chartres *** and Nick Baines****.

But I have particular a belief that will determine how I'll be approaching this market, one made famous by bi-centennial writer-cum-genius Mr Charles Dickens. "To succeed in public life and to win over an audience, you have to have the right sort of name." That's the reason he laboured long over the choice of Barnaby Rudge and David Copperfield and why the likes of Arnold Dorsey and Harry Webb tinkered with the bland names endowed on them at birth before launching into the light of stardom as Englebert Humperdinck and Cliff Richard.

Think it doesn't apply to things like the appointment of the next Archbishop? Look at the list of incumbents over the past 100 years. It includes Robert Runcie, Cosmo Gordon Lang, Randall Davidson and my own favourite - and most iconic of all - the inimitable Archibald Tait! Born to be Archbishop of Canterbury with a name like that!

There have been a few whose names have lacked the requisite semantic majesty. One wonders if perhaps biblical reference came to their aid in the appointments of Geoffrey Fisher and William Temple. Dr Williams is, I think, blessed with a Christian name that saves him from blandness whilst George Carey could obviously have had a career in Hollywood after church.

You've got to have the right sort of name in my book to even have a chance of landing the post next January and there are loads in the current list who I therefore put a line through and consign to the LAY list. Or at least the "don't back" list. That would include the Guardian-highlighted Nick Baines - at [28.0] - who would have more chance if the job were a Head of the Mafia perhaps!

No surprise then that the current Bishop of Coventry - Christopher Cocksworth - is the bookmaker's fav - trading as short as [2.25] in some places but available to back at Betfair at a generous [3.95].

Dr Cocksworth has alliteration in his favour (although interestingly only Robert Runcie shared that trait in the last 100 years so it is obviously not a pre-requisite) and a Christian name that also has the necessary biblical link. He's young - a believer in and practitioner of education - and I'm informed by those who know that his open evangelical style is highly thought of. The Guardian doesn't shortlist him but the market - agreeing with my criteria perhaps - has had him top of the list since the off.

Graham James heads the rest and has actually gone trading favourite at [2.78] in the Betfair list of the past few days. His name is not as bland as it would at first seem. There is subtle cadence in the make-up and I wouldn't hurry to lay his price despite the shortness thereof. Graham James isn't a wow in the name stakes but he does just about pass the same test that Tim Stevens does not. Those who share my fondness for longshots however might prefer a back of current Bishop of Liverpool -and ardent gay rights supporter- James Jones instead. He is currently 51.0 - has a very similar name with the added bonus of being alliterative. John Sentamu and Richard Chartres also get a green light from the Boz although neither can hold a candle to the appropriateness of Christopher Cocksworth. I doubt whether even Dickens could have improved on that!

RECOMMENDED BET:

3pts on Christopher Cocksworth @ [3.95] to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury

*current Bishop of York and in line to become the first black Archbishop if he lands it

** Bishop of Norwich and widely seen as the safe pick because this is a man who smiles every moment of the day!

***Current Bishop of London who got good recent press for sorting out the St Paul's fiasco but has his age against him aswell as the fact that he is lukewarm on the issue of women's ordination

****Bishop of Bradford and a lively outsider according to those in the know

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