A credit to mothers

SIR – It is great news that the Home Office has signed off on the proposal to include mothers’ names on marriage certificates (report, January 1). However, it is incorrect to attribute this solely to the work of Dame Caroline Spelman and the Rev Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans.

The campaign to include mothers’ names was started by my own daughter, Ailsa Burkimsher Sadler, over five years ago. Through an extensive social media campaign, a petition on Change.org and numerous media interviews, the issue came to the fore in 2014, when David Cameron lent his support.

During her campaign, Ailsa received little encouragement from the Conservatives, but great support from members of other political parties – especially the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas. The Church of England and Lambeth Palace were largely dismissive, apart from some individual members of the clergy. Heather Burkimsher

Paignton, Devon