Will the meddling never end?

Here's the latest social engineering experiment in Britain, "rights for cohabitees". There is no concept here of "common law marriage" as there is in N.A. Generally speaking common law marriage means that if you live with your partner for some continuous period -- often 2 years -- you are considered "common law spouses" and are technically legally married, and as such can claim various rights.

Now, Britain also wants to make you legally obligated to your partner if you live with them.

"Daily Mail columnist Melanie Phillips told the BBC changing the law would undermine marriage.

She said: "This idea that society is changing and therefore the law has to change to keep up with it is wrong, in my view, historically the law has led the progressive dismemberment of marriage by stripping it progressively of meaning."

I think Melanie is wrong that this undermines marriage; One reason people might not get married is that they don't want the legal obligations that can go along with that. If simply living together creates those same obligations, then heck, might as well get married (because ultimately everyone in our culture really expects you to do so -- if you don't it's a bit odd, isn't it?). However, then she says:

"The law is based on justice; justice requires that you don't get something for nothing. You don't claim rights if you don't enter into obligations."

There I can agree. And by the way, could the UK government please stop meddling in our lives? People who want to get married get married. That's most people. Speaking for the rest of us, please let us have our personal lives, and make our choices, in peace.