MOTHERS' NAMES AND MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

Early day motion 446, tabled 14 September 2015 by Caroline Lucas (Green). Signed by 121 members.

That this House notes that regulations from 1986 mean it is still the case that the particulars to be registered for marriage include details of the fathers and not the mothers of the bride and groom; believes our law should not perpetuate the offensive and outdated message that marriage is a business transaction between fathers; also notes both mothers and fathers are recorded on a civil partnership certificate and believes the same should be the case on a marriage certificate; also believes change is needed so that mothers are no longer erased from these important historical records; notes the Prime Minister accepted these arguments and promised to address this inequality over a year ago but nothing has happened; and calls on the Home Secretary to make the necessary legislative update without further delay.

Signatures by party: Labour 63, Scottish National Party 28, Conservative 6, DUP 5, Labour/Co-operative 5, Liberal Democrat 5, Plaid Cymru 3, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Green 1, UUP 1.