This comic pastiche, first published here in 2107, resulted from a curious anomaly arising from our decision, four years ago, to 'upgrade' our Civil Partnership to a marriage. I'll let Sir Humphrey explain...
"Sir Humphrey"
"Yes, Minister?"
"Those chaps that converted their Civil Partnership to a Marriage, yesterday..."
"Yes, Minister?"
"What is the date on their Marriage Certificate?"
"Well, yesterday of course, Minister."
"August 30th, 2017"
"Correct, Minister."
"So, they were married yesterday?"
"Only in a manner of speaking, Minister."
"Oh?"
"You see, Minister, by section 9(6) of the Marriage Same Sex Couples
Act 2013 (subject to any contrary provision made by or under that Act
for any particular purpose) the marriage is to be treated as having
subsisted from the date on which the Civil Partnership was formed."
"Which was when, Sir Humphrey?"
"On October 4th, 2007."
"So, they were actually married when they became Civil Partners?"
"Oh, no, Minister! Same sex couples weren't permitted to marry in 2007!"
"But you just said–––"
"What I said, Minister was that, 'by section 9(6) of the Marriage Same
Sex Couples Act 2013 (subject to any contrary provision made by or under
that Act––––'"
"Yes, yes, I heard that, Sir Humphrey! So, are you saying that although they didn't get married in 2007 – because they couldn't get
married – an Act of Parliament passed six years later made it lawful
for them to subsequently be considered as being married even though, at
the time, it wasn't lawful?"
"In a manner of speaking, Minister, yes."
"Then, if I understand you correctly, even though their
marriage certificate is dated yesterday, 30th August, 2017, they are now said to have become married ten years previously – despite the fact
that such a union, on that date, was an impossibility?"
"Exactly so, Minister: your grasp of the matter is exemplary."
"Which means on 4th October 2017 – just five weeks after the date on
their Marriage Certificate, they will be celebrating their 10th Wedding
Anniversary?"
"Indeed, Minister."
"Then, maybe we should send a card to congratulate them?"
"Yes, Minister!"
by Brian Sibley & His Husband (from an idea by David Weeks!)
and with respectful apologies to Jonathan Lynn & Antony Jay
Cartoon © Gerald Scarfe
