A survey conducted by Misco International has left no doubt that divorce is a matter of conscience and for many people it would be the primary influencing factor in any decision on the issue.

With 75 per cent insisting their own conscience would influence their decision on divorce, the number far outstrips the influence politicians may have, which stands at a paltry one per cent, and that of the Church, which stands at 19 per cent.

The Church may still command influence in society but the results show that on divorce the flock may not necessarily follow its shepherd blindly. Though a relative majority of 45 per cent are against divorce and agree with what the Church preaches, only 19 per cent said instructions from the Church would influence their decision on divorce.

The results of the survey do not paint a final picture since 14 per cent said they did not know how they would vote in a divorce referendum. However, even these people argue in their vast majority (76 per cent) that their conscience would be the guiding light when deciding on divorce.

Support for divorce is marginally higher in all age groups under 55 years of age, with the biggest gap between those in favour and against to be found in the 25 to 34 year age bracket, where support for divorce is highest at 47 per cent.

The tide shifts in the older age groups, with those for and against levelling each other out in the 55 to 64 age bracket. The strongest opposition to divorce is found among those aged 65 and older, with around 64 per cent saying they are against.

Not surprisingly, the Church’s influence is also strongest in the 65 plus bracket, with 38 per cent saying their decision would be influenced by Church instructions.

The Church is least influential in the 18 to 24 age bracket, with only 10 per cent citing its instructions as a guiding principle.

Advice by politicians on divorce is barely given any weight by respondents, an indication that support and opposition to divorce cuts across party lines. However, even though the vast majority would favour a referendum on the matter, 20 per cent are inclined to allow the current MPs to vote on the introduction of divorce.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of those who would prefer Parliament to decide on divorce are in favour of its introduction.

With 56 per cent saying that the decision on the introduction of divorce should be taken before the next general election it is clear that the matter has become an important public policy issue. Support for this proposal cuts across all age groups.

The highest margin of those favouring a decision before the election is found in the 18 to 34 age group, with 62 per cent agreeing with this course of action, while the least supportive are those in the 55 to 64 age group even though an absolute majority of 51 per cent favour a decision being taken now rather than after the election.