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| Gay marriage: MPs debate plan ahead of Commons vote | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| All couples who enter into a lifelong commitment should be able to call it marriage, Culture Secretary Maria Miller has said. | |
| MPs are debating the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill and will vote later. | |
| Mrs Miller insisted religious freedom will be protected by the bill and it "will not marginalise those who believe marriage should be between a man and a woman". | |
| A number of Conservative MPs are expected to vote against the plans. | |
| The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, where a religious institution had formally consented, in England and Wales. | The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, where a religious institution had formally consented, in England and Wales. |
| It would also allow couples who had previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationship into a marriage. | It would also allow couples who had previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationship into a marriage. |
| But concerns have been raised that by changing marriage from being solely between a man and a woman, fundamental parts of marriage, such as the ability to divorce on the grounds of adultery or failure to consummate the marriage, would not apply to same-sex marriages. | But concerns have been raised that by changing marriage from being solely between a man and a woman, fundamental parts of marriage, such as the ability to divorce on the grounds of adultery or failure to consummate the marriage, would not apply to same-sex marriages. |
| This is because current legal definitions of adultery and consummation are based on sexual contact between a man and a woman. Without these legal definitions, critics argue that same-sex marriage will be open to those who do not have a sexual relationship. | This is because current legal definitions of adultery and consummation are based on sexual contact between a man and a woman. Without these legal definitions, critics argue that same-sex marriage will be open to those who do not have a sexual relationship. |
| Reports suggest upwards of 120 Conservative MPs could vote against the government's plans, including some cabinet ministers. | |
| 'Changing attitudes' | |
| MPs will have a free vote on the issue, meaning they will not be ordered to vote for or against by party whips, but the measure is expected to get through the Commons, with most on the Labour and Liberal Democrat benches supporting it. | MPs will have a free vote on the issue, meaning they will not be ordered to vote for or against by party whips, but the measure is expected to get through the Commons, with most on the Labour and Liberal Democrat benches supporting it. |
| Maria Miller told MPs: "What marriage offers us all is a lifelong partner to share our journey; a loving stable relationship to strengthen us and a mutual support throughout our lives. | |
| "I believe this is something that should be embraced by more couples. | |
| "The depth of feeling, love and commitment is no different between same sex couples than opposite sex couples. | |
| "This bill enables society to recognise that commitment in the same way too, through marriage." | |
| On Tuesday, Chancellor George Osborne, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Home Secretary Theresa May wrote to the Daily Telegraph saying "a substantial majority" of Britons back gay marriage. | |
| They wrote: "Marriage has evolved over time. We believe that opening it up to same-sex couples will strengthen, not weaken, the institution. | |
| "As David Cameron has said, we should support gay marriage not in spite of being Conservatives, but because we are Conservatives." | "As David Cameron has said, we should support gay marriage not in spite of being Conservatives, but because we are Conservatives." |
| But on Sunday, more than 20 current and former Conservative constituency chairmen delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street urging the prime minister to delay any parliamentary decision on gay marriage until after the next election. | But on Sunday, more than 20 current and former Conservative constituency chairmen delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street urging the prime minister to delay any parliamentary decision on gay marriage until after the next election. |
| It warned of "significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run-up to the 2015 election" if the plans entered law. | It warned of "significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run-up to the 2015 election" if the plans entered law. |
| The author of another letter published in the Telegraph on Tuesday - the chairman of Witham Constituency Conservative Association in Essex - said he was "astonished by Mr Cameron's determination to proceed with this Bill despite objections from his party - and from the Church". | The author of another letter published in the Telegraph on Tuesday - the chairman of Witham Constituency Conservative Association in Essex - said he was "astonished by Mr Cameron's determination to proceed with this Bill despite objections from his party - and from the Church". |
| Tom Foster said it was "reckless" of the prime minister to "divide the party". | Tom Foster said it was "reckless" of the prime minister to "divide the party". |
| He added: "I am confident that gay marriage is viewed with disdain by the sort of Conservatives I respect." | He added: "I am confident that gay marriage is viewed with disdain by the sort of Conservatives I respect." |
| 'Division and distrust' | 'Division and distrust' |
| However, 50 senior Tory activists have argued that such opposition risks alienating voters and the plans have been strongly backed by Prime Minister David Cameron. | However, 50 senior Tory activists have argued that such opposition risks alienating voters and the plans have been strongly backed by Prime Minister David Cameron. |
| BBC deputy political editor James Landale says Downing Street hopes the row will have been forgotten by the general election. | BBC deputy political editor James Landale says Downing Street hopes the row will have been forgotten by the general election. |
| However, he says, others in the Conservative Party fear the division and the distrust could cost the party dear. | However, he says, others in the Conservative Party fear the division and the distrust could cost the party dear. |
| Downing Street said the prime minister had no plans to speak on the issue before the vote and there were no plans for him meet wavering MPs. | Downing Street said the prime minister had no plans to speak on the issue before the vote and there were no plans for him meet wavering MPs. |
| The government believes that the wording of the bill will ensure that the Church of England and the Church in Wales will not face any legal challenges to their strong stated opposition to holding same-sex marriages. | The government believes that the wording of the bill will ensure that the Church of England and the Church in Wales will not face any legal challenges to their strong stated opposition to holding same-sex marriages. |
| All religious organisations will be able to opt in to holding ceremonies - but the Church of England and the Church in Wales would first need to agree to change canon law. | All religious organisations will be able to opt in to holding ceremonies - but the Church of England and the Church in Wales would first need to agree to change canon law. |