Divorce

I do not believe for one moment that David Cameron and his mob really want to do anything about divorce, and I find it most telling that they have placed a story saying that they do in the Cameron-sceptical Daily Telegraph rather than in the Cameron-loving Guardian or on the Cameron-worshipping BBC.

But here is what could and should be done about divorce by anyone who really was of such a mind:

- entitle each divorcing spouse to one per cent of the other's estate, up to fifty per cent;

- disentitle the petitioning spouse unless fault be proved;

- entitle any marrying couple to register their marriage as bound by the law prior to 1969 as regards grounds and procedures for divorce;

- enable any religious organisation to specify that any marriage which it conducts shall be so bound, and require it to counsel couples accordingly;

- legislate that the Church of England be such a body unless the General Synod specifically resolve the contrary by a two-thirds majority in all three Houses; and

- do something similar for the Methodist and United Reformed Churches, which also exist pursuant to Acts of Parliament.

I will have to check the exact legislation relating to the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy, but if something similar can be done there, then it must be done there.