New YouGov polls show that both the public and MPs are overwhelmingly in favour of legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales. The data has been released on the eve of a House of Commons debate. It shows that support is consistent across all parties and all religious groups, and underlines Humanists UK’s calls for the Government to use its powers to enact recognition by Order.
The public poll found that 70% of adults in the UK are supportive, with only 15% opposed. The support is consistent across religious and belief groups, with 77% of non-religious adults supporting reform, as well as 58% of Anglicans, 55% of Catholics, 55% of other Christians, and 74% of those from other religions. Only 8% of non-religious adults oppose the change, and only 27% of Christians. Support is also consistent among different voters, with 81% of those who voted Labour at the last election backing the change, and just 8% opposing it; the change is also supported by 57% of Conservative voters, 71% of Liberal Democrats, and 58% of Reform voters.
Meanwhile, the MP poll also shows overwhelming support, in particular Labour MPs. 74% of Labour MPs think the Government should legally recognise humanist marriages, with only 5% opposed.
Among MPs overall, support stands at 62%, with only 13% opposed. MPs were also asked ‘To what extent, if at all do you agree [that] legal recognition of humanist marriages would enhance couples’ freedom of choice’. Among all MPs, 66% agreed, with only 8% disagreeing. Among Labour MPs, 78% agreed, and only 1% disagreed.
The polls have been released ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on humanist marriages, taking place on Thursday 12 June, put forward by Labour MPs Sarah Edwards and Lizzi Collinge and Lib Dem MP Freddie van Mierlo. Several MPs are expected to outline their personal experiences with the marriage law and the difficulties they have faced due to the lack of legal recognition. Others will argue that this is an LGBT rights issue. They will call on the Government to lay the Order to grant legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales.
Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented:
‘We welcome these figures, which show that the vast majority of adults up and down the country support legal recognition of humanist marriages. We urge the Government to listen to the public and use its powers to allow humanists to get married in line with our beliefs.’
About humanist marriages
Humanist weddings are non-religious wedding ceremonies that are fully customised to match the deepest-held values and beliefs of the couple getting married. They are conducted by a humanist celebrant, someone guaranteed to share their beliefs. In consultation with the couple the celebrant produces a completely bespoke script. The ceremony also occurs in whatever location is most meaningful for the couple. Humanists UK has more than 300 trained and accredited wedding celebrants.
Humanist marriages gained legal recognition in Scotland in 2005 and since 2022 more humanist weddings have been conducted each year than religious marriages of all kinds combined. They also gained legal recognition in the Republic of Ireland in 2012; in Northern Ireland in 2018, following a Court of Appeal ruling that concluded that a failure to do so would be a breach of human rights; in Jersey in 2019; and in Guernsey in 2021.
In England and Wales, however, humanist couples must have an unwanted additional civil ceremony for their marriage to be legally recognised. A change in law has been under constant Government review since 2013. The Marriage Act gave the Government the power to enact legal recognition of humanist marriages by Order – which would take as little time as 90 minutes in each the House of Commons and House of Lords. But in the years since, the Government has not done this. Instead the matter has been reviewed three times, most recently by the Law Commission, which published its report in July 2022. The previous Government did not issue its response before the General Election was called.
Labour supported legal recognition of humanist marriages by Order since 2014 while in opposition. But now in power, the new government has said it needs more time to set out a position and consider the measure in light of the Law Commission review.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on legal recognition of humanist marriages.
Read the YouGov polls of the public and of MPs.
The public poll was conducted with 2,287 UK adults on 29-30 April. The MP poll was conducted with 106 MPs on 18 November-6 December last year. Both polls are being released for the first time now, to coincide with the debate.
The Westminster Hall debate is taking place from 13:30-15:00 on Thursday 12 June.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.