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| Humanist weddings could stay illegal following Coalition row between Tories and Liberal Democrats | Humanist weddings could stay illegal following Coalition row between Tories and Liberal Democrats |
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| Thousands of couples planning non-religious humanist weddings could have their hopes dashed after a row between the Tories and Liberal Democrats saw Number 10 veto proposals to give such marriages legal status. | Thousands of couples planning non-religious humanist weddings could have their hopes dashed after a row between the Tories and Liberal Democrats saw Number 10 veto proposals to give such marriages legal status. |
| The Lib Dems want people who are agnostic, atheist or simply do not want a religious ceremony to be able to have a secular wedding, outside of a register office. Couples could tailor their own ceremonies, and select venues that are not licensed for civil weddings. | The Lib Dems want people who are agnostic, atheist or simply do not want a religious ceremony to be able to have a secular wedding, outside of a register office. Couples could tailor their own ceremonies, and select venues that are not licensed for civil weddings. |
| But it was reported on Sunday that Downing Street is now blocking the idea because Lynton Crosby, David Cameron’s election strategist, sees it as a “fringe” issue that could muddy the Government’s key messages ahead of May’s general election. | But it was reported on Sunday that Downing Street is now blocking the idea because Lynton Crosby, David Cameron’s election strategist, sees it as a “fringe” issue that could muddy the Government’s key messages ahead of May’s general election. |
| The British Humanist Association (BHA) reacted furiously to the news, saying it was “shameful” that non-religious couples could not marry in ceremonies with the same legal status as believers. | The British Humanist Association (BHA) reacted furiously to the news, saying it was “shameful” that non-religious couples could not marry in ceremonies with the same legal status as believers. |
| Under current English law, weddings can take place in any registered religious building including churches, mosques and even premises belonging to the Scientologists, Spiritualists and the Aetherius Society – whose members believe in aliens and that the Earth is a goddess. | Under current English law, weddings can take place in any registered religious building including churches, mosques and even premises belonging to the Scientologists, Spiritualists and the Aetherius Society – whose members believe in aliens and that the Earth is a goddess. |
| A historical exemption allows Jewish and Quaker ceremonies to be conducted anywhere – a legal provision that could be extended to allow humanist weddings. A government consultation, launched after the legalisation of gay marriage, found considerable public backing for the reform. | A historical exemption allows Jewish and Quaker ceremonies to be conducted anywhere – a legal provision that could be extended to allow humanist weddings. A government consultation, launched after the legalisation of gay marriage, found considerable public backing for the reform. |
| In Scotland, where humanist weddings have been legal since 2005, there has been an increase in the number of people getting married, against a general decline in the UK as a whole. Humanist weddings now account for 10 per cent of all Scottish marriages, making it the third most popular form of marriage in Scotland. | In Scotland, where humanist weddings have been legal since 2005, there has been an increase in the number of people getting married, against a general decline in the UK as a whole. Humanist weddings now account for 10 per cent of all Scottish marriages, making it the third most popular form of marriage in Scotland. |
| Lynton Crosby is said to view humanist weddings as a ‘fringe issue’ for the Tories (PA) | Lynton Crosby is said to view humanist weddings as a ‘fringe issue’ for the Tories (PA) |
| Ministers are due to announce their response to the consultation next month but the Conservatives are believed to be blocking any change. | Ministers are due to announce their response to the consultation next month but the Conservatives are believed to be blocking any change. |
| Andrew Copson, the chief executive of the BHA, described Number 10’s intervention as “astonishing”, saying it would be a “huge shock” for thousands of couples. | Andrew Copson, the chief executive of the BHA, described Number 10’s intervention as “astonishing”, saying it would be a “huge shock” for thousands of couples. |
| He said: “It is shameful that Number 10 would block the wish of thousands of couples to start their married life in a way that is personal and meaningful to them. Giving legal recognition to humanist marriages is a simple measure which adversely affects no one, has huge popular and political support, and would increase the number of people getting married each year. | He said: “It is shameful that Number 10 would block the wish of thousands of couples to start their married life in a way that is personal and meaningful to them. Giving legal recognition to humanist marriages is a simple measure which adversely affects no one, has huge popular and political support, and would increase the number of people getting married each year. |
| “Under this government, Scientologists have been added to the list of religions that can perform legal marriages… To describe the legal recognition of humanist marriages as a “fringe” issue insults the many non-religious couples – much larger in number than these many small religious groups - whose planned marriages next year will not be able to go ahead if Number 10 blocks this change.” | “Under this government, Scientologists have been added to the list of religions that can perform legal marriages… To describe the legal recognition of humanist marriages as a “fringe” issue insults the many non-religious couples – much larger in number than these many small religious groups - whose planned marriages next year will not be able to go ahead if Number 10 blocks this change.” |
| The BHA has waged a long campaign for humanist marriages to be made legal. A hard-won amendment during the passage of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 compelled the Government to hold a consultation on the issue and awarded them order-making powers to introduce it. | |
| Despite assurances from ministers last year that a decision would be swiftly taken following a public consultation, the Government has been accused of dragging its heels and halting the wedding plans of hundreds of couples. | Despite assurances from ministers last year that a decision would be swiftly taken following a public consultation, the Government has been accused of dragging its heels and halting the wedding plans of hundreds of couples. |
| This is in spite of the Government having introduced what is known as the Families Test earlier this year, a pledge to ensure that all new policies support strong and stable families. Campaigners say few policies meet this test as well as humanist marriage. | This is in spite of the Government having introduced what is known as the Families Test earlier this year, a pledge to ensure that all new policies support strong and stable families. Campaigners say few policies meet this test as well as humanist marriage. |
| Currently couples who have a humanist wedding must also have a separate register office ceremony to make the marriage legal. | Currently couples who have a humanist wedding must also have a separate register office ceremony to make the marriage legal. |