Welcome to The Spectator podcast. I'm Lara Prendergast.

Modern Britain's going through a period of unprecedented division, but for once, it's not politics

that's cleaving us in two. An increasing number of women are entering into the institution of

marriage with their dream partner, themselves.

In her cover piece this week, Ariane investigates the women who have brought a new

literalism to saying, I do. But is this just a quirky fad? Or are we witnessing a profound social

change in the way that women approach romantic unions? I'm joined now by Ariane and Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson.

Say Ariane, in your piece, you talk about women marrying themselves.

What on earth is going on?

So there are an increasing number of women

who have decided that because they don't have a man,

maybe some of them don't want a man, they've given up

looking, they're getting on, well, in terms of marriageable age, you know, maybe they're my age

36 or older, and they've decided, well, if I can't find Mr. Wright, I am going to embrace

myself and marry myself, and it's going to be a really positive and

really self-affirming ritual.

I'm going to invite all my family, my friends, my loved ones, have a great big party,

wear the dress, look amazing and have my big day, man or no man.

But why bother doing that?

What's the point of that?

I think it celebrates the modern

woman and celebrates independence and being confident. Some of the women are very staunchly

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