UK Government announces details of upcoming review into marriage laws in England and Wales, which will see fast-track legal recognition of civil marriages taking place in outdoor venues.
THE announcement omits legal recognition of humanist marriages, and Humanists UK, the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people, has accused the Government of deliberately thwarting the campaigning of many couples for humanist marriages with its announcement.
In its announcement, the Government said: “Couples will be able to get married in a marquee in their garden, in their own sitting room, pubs or at sea after ministers announced plans to scrap outdated rules around wedding venues. The Government is launching a two-year review on how and where marriages can take place. Separately it will speed up plans to allow civil weddings and civil partnerships to be held outside.”
Prime Minister Theresa May, added: “The vital institution of marriage is a strong symbol of wider society’s desire to celebrate commitment between partners. But we can do more to bring the laws on marriage ceremonies up to date and to support couples in celebrating their commitment.”
Responding to the announcement, Andrew Copson, Humanists UK Chief Executive, said: “Although any move which makes it possible for couples to have a more meaningful start to their married life is to be welcomed, this is a blatant attempt by the Government to reduce demand for humanist marriages in England and Wales and reduce the pressure on themselves for legal recognition for humanist marriages.
‘The Prime Minister says she wants to bring marriage law up to date but for the last six years the Government has had the power to give legal recognition to humanist marriages, which was supported by over 90% of people in its own consultation on this issue. In Scotland, legally recognised humanist marriages are now the most popular type and even in England and Wales, where they are not legally recognised, they have grown by 266% over the last 15 years. The Government is missing the point with this time wasting and expensive review to find out what is staring it in the face.
“Humanist weddings are unique and personal, hand-crafted to precisely match what couples want, conducted by a celebrant who shares their beliefs. This is why they have proven so popular. The two main arguments that the Government has given against doing so are the inconsistent laws around venues – with some religious groups being able to legally marry outdoors, as we would need, but others not – and the undesirability of piecemeal reform of the law. This announcement, a piecemeal reform focused just on wedding venues, undermines both of those excuses. The law must change without any further delay.”
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