Why on earth you may ask is there a trend among politicians towards keeping two families? Does this mean that polygamy could gain more support than gay marriage?

Perhaps John Edwards and Arnie are the trendsetters in a move among politicians to get much closer to more of their constituents; the pioneers of a new form of non-Mormon polygamy.

Some sociologists are convinced these are signs of a new social order and age of enlightenment where just because politicians go to great lengths to secure incremental extra-marital votes they are not faced with a barrage of calls to resign. Reforms might even go so far as to allow them to claim two or more sets of family allowances.

Marriage experts however believe that women may not support the concept of polygamous politicians until men start having babies.

Many politicians see great benefits from the acquisition of second family. For example it will certainly reduce the incidence of political scandals because it’s difficult enough to organise a bit on the side even with one family and almost impossible with two.

It can also be seen as a way to guarantee more votes although once a politician collects three or four families wives are likely to get increasingly pissed off and the law of diminishing returns could apply.

This is a critical area indeed in considering the future wellbeing of politicians. Perhaps in the future no politician will be able to give of his best without the support of all his families.