In a Q&A with PinkNews readers, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said that he wants to see humanist marriages in England and Wales legally recognised, just as they are already in Scotland. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has been campaigning for just such a change and has welcomed his comments.
Currently couples in England and Wales can have a humanist wedding ceremony but such ceremonies are not legally recognised and therefore must be supplemented by a separate marriage with a civil registrar. A reader asked the Liberal Democrats’ leader, ‘Many have turned to Humanist celebrants in Scotland, where Humanist marriages are legally recognised. Will your party advance legislation to remove the discrimination against the growing number of humanists in the rest of the UK?’ He responded by saying ‘Yes. People should be able to celebrate their marriage in the way that is right for them. The ban on humanist weddings is illiberal and unfair – I would like to see it ended.’
In 2013 the Government passed the Same Sex Marriage Act and as part of that Act, committed to consulting on legalising humanist marriage and making a decision by the end of 2014. However, while over 95% of responses to the consultation were in favour of legalisation, it was reported that the Conservative Party intervened to block the proposals which were seen as a ‘fringe’ issue. The subsequent decision, taken by Liberal Democrat Justice Minister Simon Hughes, was to reject legalisation and instead ask the Law Commission to undertake a broader, lengthy review of the law concerning marriage ceremonies.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party are all supportive of legal recognition of humanist marriages. Humanist marriages are already legal in Scotland and the Scottish National Party is supportive of this fact as well.
BHA Director of Public Affairs Pavan Dhaliwal commented, ‘Legal recognition for humanist marriages is popular, would adversely affect no-one and would increase the number of marriages occurring. It is baffling that humanist weddings do not already have legal recognition and we will continue to press for change.’
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For further comment or information, please contact BHA Director of Public Affairs Pavan Dhaliwal on pavan@humanists.uk or 0773 843 5059.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.