By Lincolnshire MPs vote against divorce laws change
Three Lincolnshire MPs have voted against changing the UK’s divorce laws.
This comes as a bill introducing a ‘no-fault’ divorce clause in England and Wales has been backed by 231 MPs, with only 16 votes against.
The vote followed a debate in the House of Commons.
The Government say that the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill would take some pain out of marital break-ups by ending “the blame game”.
Currently, in order to start divorce proceedings immediately, one spouse has to allege adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion has taken place.
Under the proposed law, they will only have to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
However, the MP for Lincoln Karl McCartney, the MP for South Holland the Deepings Sir John Hayes and the Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh – all Conservatives – voted against the second reading.
Marriage breakdowns are on rise in locked-down Lincolnshire, according to a local solicitor.
Divorce law specialist Diane Genders says the restrictions are taking their toll on couples who were already struggling with their relationship before the outbreak. She said:
“Lockdown has made some people certain they no longer wish to be married. I think it’s made people reassess lots of parts of their lives as to what’s important to them and who’s important to them.”
Since the UK lockdown began, law firms have reported a 40% rise in divorce inquiries.
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