28 May 2012
Nick Clegg has attacked David Cameron’s plans to give MPs a free vote on gay marriage, saying that supporting it was not a matter of conscience.
The Lib Dem leader signalled he will defy the Prime Minister by forcing his MPs to vote in line with his party which supports the issue.
While Mr Cameron strongly supports gay marriage, he has agreed to a free vote to thwart a revolt by Tory traditionalists.
The Government is currently consulting on the issue before drafting legislation which would allow same-sex couples to make vows and declare they are married in non-religious ceremonies.
Commons Leader Sir George Young confirmed to parliament that the issue would now be a free vote because it was a conscience issue.
But the Deputy Prime Minister disagreed, pointing to the original law legalising civil partnerships which was passed on a whipped vote.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: ‘I personally don’t think this is something that should be subject to a great free-for-all because we’re not asking people to make a decision of conscience about religion.
‘The Conservatives, if I understand it correctly, have said that they want to have a free vote.'As far as my party is concerned, which constitutes part of Government, I would like to see us honour what we’ve said as a party we believe should change.’
The Lib Dem leader said the Government was not forcing churches to marry gay couples therefore it was not a ‘matter of conscience’.
He added: ‘It’s something I believe in personally, my party believes in collectively.
‘We’re simply saying those who want to show lifelong commitment to each other should be able to do so and we should celebrate that.’
The Prime Minister is facing opposition from church leaders, grassroots Tory campaigners and even members of his Cabinet.
Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Patterson said he is opposed to gay marriage and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond referred to the issue as a ‘distraction’ during the double-dip recession.
[ed. How very liberal and democratic of him...]
