The impact of redefining marriage on the monarchy and courtesy titles. Plus, senior Jew and Sikh voice concerns.

Mar 19, 2012

At the weekend the Sun on Sunday carried a story that Tory MP Peter Bone has written a letter to Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone asking whether she has considered the constitutional implications of redefining marriage.

He says it could allow a lesbian Queen to rule together with a Queen consort, or a gay King with a King consort. He says the monarch’s role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England would be untenable, sparking a constitutional crisis.

The Mail on Sunday reports that courtesy titles like knighthoods and peerages could be thrown into confusion by redefining marriage. At present, if a man is knighted his wife is given the title Lady. The Government’s consultation on redefining marriage, launched last week, refers to the problem of courtesy titles.

The Telegraph reports that Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, who advises the Chief Rabbi on family issues, and Lord Singh, head of the Network of Sikh Organisations, have spoken out against the Government’s plans to redefine marriage.

So too has Reg Bailey, head of the Mothers’ Union. Mr Bailey is also an advisor on family issues to David Cameron. He says redefining marriage risks leading to polygamy and even marriage between siblings.