Humanist Marriages Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Humanist Marriages

Baroness Burt of Solihull Excerpts
Tuesday 29th November 2022

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bellamy Portrait Lord Bellamy (Con)
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My Lords, as far as I know, this problem is not a matter for the Church of England. The Government’s view is that as a country we should proceed across the board to solve and update our law of marriage all at the same time.

Baroness Burt of Solihull Portrait Baroness Burt of Solihull (LD)
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My Lords, in Scotland, where humanist marriage is legal, as has been mentioned, there are more humanist marriages than Christian ones and marriage is more popular than ever. David Cameron supported gay marriage because he believed that marriage is a good thing and that everyone should be able to marry. Do this Government believe that marriage is a good thing? If so, why will they not allow humanists to legally marry?

Lord Bellamy Portrait Lord Bellamy (Con)
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This Government strongly support the institution of marriage. I am probably boring your Lordships by repeating myself: the Government think the whole problem should be solved across the board at the same time, not just with one group—the humanists.