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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Gay marriage bill returns to Commons | Gay marriage bill returns to Commons |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plans to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales return to the Commons later, amid continuing opposition from some Conservative activists and MPs. | Plans to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales return to the Commons later, amid continuing opposition from some Conservative activists and MPs. |
| The Marriage Bill was approved by a 225-vote majority when it was last debated by MPs in February, but nearly half of all Tories voted against it. | The Marriage Bill was approved by a 225-vote majority when it was last debated by MPs in February, but nearly half of all Tories voted against it. |
| On Sunday, a letter signed by more than 30 past and present local Tory Party chairmen urged the PM to drop the bill. | On Sunday, a letter signed by more than 30 past and present local Tory Party chairmen urged the PM to drop the bill. |
| David Cameron has said it would help build a stronger and fairer society. | David Cameron has said it would help build a stronger and fairer society. |
| The return of the controversial plans to the Commons comes amid other divisions within the Conservative Party on Europe and attitudes towards the party's grassroots. | The return of the controversial plans to the Commons comes amid other divisions within the Conservative Party on Europe and attitudes towards the party's grassroots. |
| 'Un-Conservative' | 'Un-Conservative' |
| On Sunday, 34 current and former local party chairmen delivered a letter to Downing Street opposing the gay marriage policy as "flawed, un-Conservative, divisive and costing us dearly in votes and membership". | On Sunday, 34 current and former local party chairmen delivered a letter to Downing Street opposing the gay marriage policy as "flawed, un-Conservative, divisive and costing us dearly in votes and membership". |
| They complained of a "crisis of conservatism" and said Europe, same-sex marriage and the "contempt" for party membership from the leadership were currently "destroying the party". | They complained of a "crisis of conservatism" and said Europe, same-sex marriage and the "contempt" for party membership from the leadership were currently "destroying the party". |
| However, a separate letter, signed by more than 100 Tory activists, called on the party's MPs to back same-sex marriage legislation. | However, a separate letter, signed by more than 100 Tory activists, called on the party's MPs to back same-sex marriage legislation. |
| They praised Mr Cameron for his stance, saying it was an issue of particular importance to younger voters, and MPs risked appearing out of touch if they pandered to a vocal minority. | |
| A group of MPs in a public committee has been taking detailed evidence on the same-sex marriage proposals since February, hearing from witnesses including equalities ministers, backbench MPs, church groups and gay rights campaigners. | |
| MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill as it is considered an issue of conscience. Two of those opposing it at its second reading in February were cabinet ministers - Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Welsh Secretary David Jones. | MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill as it is considered an issue of conscience. Two of those opposing it at its second reading in February were cabinet ministers - Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Welsh Secretary David Jones. |
| Last week, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said too much time had been spent on a policy which had angered many. | Last week, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said too much time had been spent on a policy which had angered many. |
| 'Clear inequality' | 'Clear inequality' |
| The bill's supporters, who include Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband, say allowing gay couples to marry rather than just enter civil partnerships is an important step towards full equality and a stronger society. | The bill's supporters, who include Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband, say allowing gay couples to marry rather than just enter civil partnerships is an important step towards full equality and a stronger society. |
| Labour, whose support has guaranteed the bill's progress so far, accused the Tories of exaggerating the impact of changes to civil partnerships, but said it would not allow them to use this as an excuse to drop the bill. | |
| Among the Conservatives supporting the bill is the former Tory minister Nick Herbert, who is in a civil partnership. | Among the Conservatives supporting the bill is the former Tory minister Nick Herbert, who is in a civil partnership. |
| He told the BBC that churches would be protected from having to hold same-sex weddings and the bill's "time has come" as attitudes had changed. | He told the BBC that churches would be protected from having to hold same-sex weddings and the bill's "time has come" as attitudes had changed. |
| "No political party, I think, can survive unless it's in touch with the prevailing attitudes of the day," he said. | "No political party, I think, can survive unless it's in touch with the prevailing attitudes of the day," he said. |
| MP Tim Loughton is among a group of Tories who will try to amend the bill, with a plan to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples. | MP Tim Loughton is among a group of Tories who will try to amend the bill, with a plan to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples. |
| He said the amendment would address a "very clear inequality" of the bill that would mean heterosexual couples would "only have the choice of a marriage". | He said the amendment would address a "very clear inequality" of the bill that would mean heterosexual couples would "only have the choice of a marriage". |
| Government sources suggested to the BBC the move would delay the bill by years and would be expensive for the taxpayer, as millions could gain new pension rights. | Government sources suggested to the BBC the move would delay the bill by years and would be expensive for the taxpayer, as millions could gain new pension rights. |
| Religious exemptions | Religious exemptions |
| During the remaining stages - report stage and third reading - MPs will consider amendments made at committee stage and get a final opportunity to review the contents of the bill. | During the remaining stages - report stage and third reading - MPs will consider amendments made at committee stage and get a final opportunity to review the contents of the bill. |
| If approved, it will go to the House of Lords on Wednesday, where it is expected to face further opposition. | If approved, it will go to the House of Lords on Wednesday, where it is expected to face further opposition. |
| Under the bill, the Church of England and the Church in Wales would be banned from offering same-sex marriages because of their strongly stated opposition, unless they changed canon law. Other religious organisations would be able to "opt in" to holding ceremonies. | Under the bill, the Church of England and the Church in Wales would be banned from offering same-sex marriages because of their strongly stated opposition, unless they changed canon law. Other religious organisations would be able to "opt in" to holding ceremonies. |
| There are currently no plans for similar legislation in Northern Ireland, but there are already plans for a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland. | There are currently no plans for similar legislation in Northern Ireland, but there are already plans for a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Scotland. |