How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Firstly, the witches are not united. There are differences of opinion among us. Secondly, Lord Asriel's bridge will have a bearing on a war being waged at the present between some witches and various other forces, some in the spirit world. Possession of the bridge, if it ever existed, would give a huge advantage to whoever held it. Thirdly, Serafina Pekkala's clan – my clan – is not yet part of any alliance, though great pressure is being put on us to declare for one side or another. You see, these are questions of high politics, and not easily answered." (11.67)
It's not only the Church that has in-fighting going on, the witches do to. As we can see from this quote, everyone is being forced to pick a side.
Quote #8
"It might not have been Grumman's head," said Lee Scoresby. "Your father might have been misleading the Scholars."
"I suppose he might," said Lyra thoughtfully. "He was asking them for money." (13.147-48)
Lyra learns about her father's shrewd political move with the scholars.
Quote #9
"The General Oblation Board... Your mother's gang. Clever of her to spot the chance of setting up her own power base, but she's a clever woman, as I dare say you've noticed. It suits the Magisterium to allow all kinds of different agencies to flourish. They can play them off against one another; if one succeeds, they can pretend to have been supporting it all along, and if it fails, they can pretend it was a renegade outfit which had never been properly licensed. (21.126)
Lord Asriel reveals the scheme of the Magisterium, which is to play the politics of one group against another.