Politicians love announcing new initiatives. In this series we pluck a pledge from the archives. And see what happened next...
Politicians love announcing new initiatives. In this series we pluck a pledge from the archives. And see what happened next...
Registrars can offer some marriage advice if they want to
Registrars can offer some marriage advice if they want to
Was it a genuine pledge, or a bit of spin put out by Tony Blair's team?
Was it a genuine pledge, or a bit of spin put out by Tony Blair's team?
It was the weekend before the then prime minister's 1998 Labour Party conference speech.
It was the weekend before the then prime minister's 1998 Labour Party conference speech.
Two Sunday broadsheet newspapers reported that Mr Blair would give registrars the power to be "secular" vicars.
Two Sunday broadsheet newspapers reported that Mr Blair would give registrars the power to be "secular" vicars.
This eye-catching idea would see them providing couples with guidance on how to make their marriages successful.
This eye-catching idea would see them providing couples with guidance on how to make their marriages successful.
When they had children, parents would be encouraged to have a civil naming ceremony - like a Christening but with no religious content. The Church is unlikely to be enthusiastic about proposals which appear to parody its own services Church of England
When they had children, parents would be encouraged to have a civil naming ceremony - like a Christening but with no religious content. The Church is unlikely to be enthusiastic about proposals which appear to parody its own services Church of England
Of course, Mr Blair never used the word "vicar" in his conference speech, but he said Labour would shortly be setting out plans to give more support to parents, families and marriage.
Of course, Mr Blair never used the word "vicar" in his conference speech, but he said Labour would shortly be setting out plans to give more support to parents, families and marriage.
The registrar schemes and several other policies - such as encouraging a greater role for grandparents and making pre-nuptial agreements legally binding - were included in a government green paper published later that year called Supporting Families.
The registrar schemes and several other policies - such as encouraging a greater role for grandparents and making pre-nuptial agreements legally binding - were included in a government green paper published later that year called Supporting Families.
'Sensitivity'
'Sensitivity'
Charities, health groups and religious organisations were among those consulted.
Charities, health groups and religious organisations were among those consulted.
In its response, the Church of England said registrars offering marriage advice might "invite a degree of ridicule".
In its response, the Church of England said registrars offering marriage advice might "invite a degree of ridicule".
It added: "Although the benefits likely to result from such changes are likely to be modest, the experiment is worth pursuing."
It added: "Although the benefits likely to result from such changes are likely to be modest, the experiment is worth pursuing."
On registrars encouraging secular naming ceremonies it said: "The Church is unlikely to be enthusiastic about proposals which appear to parody its own services.
On registrars encouraging secular naming ceremonies it said: "The Church is unlikely to be enthusiastic about proposals which appear to parody its own services.
"But if there is a real demand for such innovation we would not wish to stand in the way of those who want such ceremonies.
"But if there is a real demand for such innovation we would not wish to stand in the way of those who want such ceremonies.
The government felt it would be helpful if registrars made leaflets or information packs available to couples getting married Home Office
The government felt it would be helpful if registrars made leaflets or information packs available to couples getting married Home Office
"The intention of encouraging long-term commitment to the child by parents and the wider family is certainly one we applaud, but there are serious questions as to whether registrars should be asked to assume such novel functions."
"The intention of encouraging long-term commitment to the child by parents and the wider family is certainly one we applaud, but there are serious questions as to whether registrars should be asked to assume such novel functions."
This point was taken up by opponents of "nanny statism", angry at the idea that the man or woman in the town hall knows best how to run families.
This point was taken up by opponents of "nanny statism", angry at the idea that the man or woman in the town hall knows best how to run families.
Conservative Peter Lilley said it represented an "unprecedented intrusion into family life" and said the government was trying to "nationalise baptisms".
Conservative Peter Lilley said it represented an "unprecedented intrusion into family life" and said the government was trying to "nationalise baptisms".
The Liberal Democrats warned against possible discrimination in favour of "government-approved relationships".
The Liberal Democrats warned against possible discrimination in favour of "government-approved relationships".
'Voluntary basis'
'Voluntary basis'
Amid the proposals and claims bandied about, it was often forgotten that registrars already had the right to offer wedding advice, in the form of leaflets.
Amid the proposals and claims bandied about, it was often forgotten that registrars already had the right to offer wedding advice, in the form of leaflets.
After the green paper consultation, this was left much the same.
After the green paper consultation, this was left much the same.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The government felt it would be helpful if registrars made leaflets or information packs available to couples getting married.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The government felt it would be helpful if registrars made leaflets or information packs available to couples getting married.
"However, a change to the law would be required to make this a requirement, but registration officers can make information packs or leaflets available on a voluntary basis."
"However, a change to the law would be required to make this a requirement, but registration officers can make information packs or leaflets available on a voluntary basis."
Some still do. Some still do not.
Some still do. Some still do not.
But the law changed on civil naming ceremonies for babies, which had been offered by some charitable groups since the mid-1990s.
But the law changed on civil naming ceremonies for babies, which had been offered by some charitable groups since the mid-1990s.
Civil weddings used to be so badly performed and cold. That's not true now Former civil ceremony worker
Civil weddings used to be so badly performed and cold. That's not true now Former civil ceremony worker
A pilot scheme in late 2000 saw councils providing them, along with marriage renewal vows.
A pilot scheme in late 2000 saw councils providing them, along with marriage renewal vows.
The 2003 Local Government Act gave local authorities the power to charge for them, providing a source of revenue.
The 2003 Local Government Act gave local authorities the power to charge for them, providing a source of revenue.
They have become increasingly popular since.
They have become increasingly popular since.
The wording, which can be edited by parents, notes the birth of the child and tends to emphasise commitment and love.
The wording, which can be edited by parents, notes the birth of the child and tends to emphasise commitment and love.
But the ceremony is just that - ceremonial - and has no legal meaning.
But the ceremony is just that - ceremonial - and has no legal meaning.
Registrars performing it stand in front of the assembled family and friends and conduct affairs in the style of what some might call a "secular vicar".
Registrars performing it stand in front of the assembled family and friends and conduct affairs in the style of what some might call a "secular vicar".
Training courses
Training courses
However, the roles of civil servant and priest are different.
However, the roles of civil servant and priest are different.
One of the first people to offer the ceremonies, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was found that registrars weren't the best people to offer people advice. They were basically administrators.
One of the first people to offer the ceremonies, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was found that registrars weren't the best people to offer people advice. They were basically administrators.
"But there were training courses offered and some of them took to the ceremonial side of things.
"But there were training courses offered and some of them took to the ceremonial side of things.
"It had a knock-on, as many registrars really upped their game. If you go to a civil wedding now it's very, very much better than they were 20 years ago.
"It had a knock-on, as many registrars really upped their game. If you go to a civil wedding now it's very, very much better than they were 20 years ago.
"They used to be so badly performed and cold. That's not true now."
"They used to be so badly performed and cold. That's not true now."
A Church of England spokesman said: "The Church has broadly welcomed the expansion of the role of registrars, where it is clear that their activities would help support family life.
A Church of England spokesman said: "The Church has broadly welcomed the expansion of the role of registrars, where it is clear that their activities would help support family life.
"But the idea of 'secular vicars' seems to have been consigned to the dustbin of history."
"But the idea of 'secular vicars' seems to have been consigned to the dustbin of history."
There have been changes and registrars have a far greater ceremonial role than there once did. Whether or not they now amount to "secular vicars" depends on your point of view.
There have been changes and registrars have a far greater ceremonial role than there once did. Whether or not they now amount to "secular vicars" depends on your point of view.
What do you think? Send us your comments using the form below.
What do you think? Send us your comments using the form below.
