PM 'proud' of gay marriage bill, despite Tory backlash

 
Staff|Agency22 May 2013
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David Cameron today insisted he was proud of legislation to introduce gay marriage, despite a Commons rebellion which saw 130 of his own MPs oppose the change last night.

But in an apparent olive branch to traditionalist Tories, the Prime Minister promised there would be no more legislation on social issues like homosexual equality for the remainder of this Parliament, and that the coalition Government will focus on the economy and welfare reform for the next two years.

The Prime Minister saw his will done as the controversial Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill completed its passage through the Commons last night by 366 votes to 161 - a majority of 205 - but more Tory MPs opposed it than supported it.

In a further blow after weeks of infighting, a YouGov poll put the Conservatives on just 27 per cent - equalling their lowest rating since 2000 - with Labour's lead stretching to 11 points.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Cameron sought to brush off the significance of the Tory rebellion: "The fact is this is a free vote issue that parliaments have to determine. Our House of Commons has just determined that.

"I think we should think about it like this - that there will be young boys in schools today who are gay, who are worried about being bullied, who are worried about what society thinks of them, who can see that the highest parliament in the land has said that their love is worth the same as anybody else's love and that we believe in equality.

"I think they will stand that bit taller today and I'm proud of the fact that that has happened."

But he made clear that he would not be making further initiatives on issues of equality over the coming period.

"If you are saying to me, 'Is this the first of many other issues like that?', no it isn't," said Mr Cameron.

"The Government now is going to be absolutely focused on the big picture, which is fixing our economy and reforming our welfare, making sure there are good schools for our children to go to ... for the next two years is going to be the absolute focus that I have, the Conservative Party has and the Government has."

Mr Cameron acknowledged the battle over gay marriage had divided his party, but said the Bill was "right for Britain".

"On the gay marriage issue, this is an issue clearly that divides the country. It certainly divides the Conservative Party," he said.

"But I think it is right for Britain, like other countries, to take on this issue and to determine the right approach and that's exactly what I've done and I'm proud of the fact that this legislation has now passed the House of Commons. That's a good thing.

"Every country across the world is having to address this. In New Zealand a centre-right Government has just legalised gay marriage. Eleven or 12 states in the US have done the same thing.

"I think it's important that we have this degree of equality and I say that as someone who's a massive supporter of marriage. I think marriage is a wonderful institution. It helps people to commit to each other. I think it's such a good institution that it should be available to gay people as well as heterosexuals."

Challenged that he had failed in his quest to modernise the Tories, Mr Cameron insisted that the Conservative Party had "made some enormous changes" since he became leader in 2005 in terms of greater equality for women and campaigning on issues like poverty, the environment and international aid which have not traditionally been priorities.

But he was today facing anger from some of his own backbench MPs about the direction in which he is taking the party.

Mid Beds MP Nadine Dorries - only recently restored to the whip amid defection rumours - posted on Twitter: "So, we dropped to 27 points in tonight's polls. That gaymarriage thing is really working for us."

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson wrote: "Cameron's disdain for Conservative Party membership & for proper Parliamentary scrutiny of same sex marriage bill will come back to haunt him."

Mr Cameron has also faced tensions with the Tory rank and file, many of whom were infuriated by reports that one of Mr Cameron's allies described local activists as "swivel-eyed loons".

Conservative co-chairman Lord Feldman was forced to deny making the comments after being named on the internet.

The scale of Tory dissent in last night's debate has sparked renewed speculation of an attempt to oust Mr Cameron as leader before the next general election.

A total of 130 Conservative MPs opposed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in the free vote, including two Cabinet ministers - Welsh Secretary David Jones and Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.

They were joined by 10 junior ministers, including minister without portfolio John Hayes, Solicitor-General Oliver Heald, transport minister Simon Burns, Europe minister David Lidington and Work and Pensions minister Esther McVey.

Only 118 Conservatives backed the Bill, although Labour and Liberal Democrat support ensured a comfortable majority.

However, the Bill will have to overcome more resistance when it comes before the House of Lords.

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