It'll be around as long as some want an event to mark their commitment; but it is a fairly pointless state of affairs. Some seem to muddle marriage with relationship and commitment. One can be in a committed partnership without wishing to sign any paper, and ought not be made to feel obliged to do so to please others. The relationship's history will be the same. And the ability to break the relationship no less difficult/easy. Still it gives an opportunity for the politicians to discriminate against one section of society I suppose. Have the cheek to claim to be supporting marriage, as if it should need support, by denying those who didn't sign up the same rights those that do are given. And finding supporters who think that is ok because one could have capitulated and married but chose not to, as if different treatment was ok. And then there are those who claim that the figures show marriage is more stable, without realising that non-married couples are of all sorts, with all sorts of aims. It is like comparing apples with fruit salad. The sooner society treats everyone equally, and allows those who want a 'knees up' to have one, and let those who don't, not bother, the better for us all.