Adding mothers' names to marriage certificates 'unfair' to same-sex couples
A proposal to amend marriage certificates to include the mothers' names has been rejected by the Home Office as 'unfair' to same-sex couples.
The bill, which is to be debated in Parliament this month, proposes to amend marriage certificates to include a box for the mothers’ names. This would require the replacement of tens of thousands of existing marriage certificate books, as only the fathers of the bride and groom are named currently.
The Home Office has responded to say that it could not agree with the proposals, because they do not allow for those with "different family circumstances".
Home Office rejects proposals
The legislation, proposed by Labour MP Christina Rees, would amend the Marriage Act 1949 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 "to make provision for the recording of the name and occupation of the mother of each party to a marriage or civil partnership for registration purposes".
David Cameron pledged to amend the certificates in 2014, saying the current situation "does not reflect modern Britain".
But despite tens of thousands showing support for the plans in an online petition, the Home Office has rejected the proposals.
Minister Richard Harrington said:
"The Bill does not take account of different family circumstances, where there may not be a mother and father".
The Home Office said that an example of “different family circumstances” would be a couple in a same-sex ‘marriage’.
‘Incoherent approach to legislation’
Chief Executive of Christian Concern Andrea Williams responded
"This highlights the incoherency of the government’s approach to legislation. In trying to reflect a ‘modern Britain’, the prime minister legalised same-sex 'marriage'. But in doing so, he altered the Christian framework that has proved effective in governing our nation for centuries.
"Now, in wishing to address another law that does not reflect ‘modern-day Britain’, he finds that the two amendments contradict one another.
"Only a Christian foundation provides a stable, coherent legal framework from which to govern society. This is one example of the effects of its removal."
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Related Coverage:
Ministers reject simple change to marriage certificates to include mother's name as unfair to gay couples (Telegraph)
