THE ARRIVAL of marriage on the political stage this week, so early in the protracted General Election campaign, is a cause for alarm rather than satisfaction. The Church is, of course, a champion of marriage, having consistently upheld it as the natural crucible of human love and the best foundation for the raising of children. But there is much sloppy thinking about marriage, and never more than when politicians get involved.

First, there is no justification for favourable tax arrangements for married couples. There is no intrinsic benefit to the state from the condition of being married which warrants any sort of financial incentive or reward. It is extraordinary how this has become the shibboleth to prove whether this party or that party “backs marriage”. All that people should expect from the next govern­ment, of whatever flavour, is that it ensures that the tax system is fair…