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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.
One of the amendments tabled for debate involves extending civil partnerships to heterosexual couples.One of the amendments tabled for debate involves extending civil partnerships to heterosexual couples.
Government sources say if passed, this could delay the bill by two years. Equalities minister Maria Miller said this was a "complicated distraction".
She told the BBC that she wanted same sex couples to be able to marry as early as next summer, as envisaged under the legislation, and reconsidering the status of civil partnerships would delay that.
David Cameron has said the bill would help build a stronger and fairer society, and the bill also has the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband.David Cameron has said the bill would help build a stronger and fairer society, and the bill also has the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband.
The return of the 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 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.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.
MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill as it is considered an issue of conscience. MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill because 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.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'
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 have 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.
BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said some in Westminster were saying the amendment was an attempt to "wreck the bill" because it could delay its passage beyond the general election.BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said some in Westminster were saying the amendment was an attempt to "wreck the bill" because it could delay its passage beyond the general election.
He added opponents and supporters of gay marriage could both coalesce around the amendment - it is about equality but it is also a way of destroying the bill. But Mr Loughton said opponents and supporters of gay marriage could both coalesce around the amendment
But Mr Loughton said: "Far from being a wrecking measure, some of the strongest support for my amendment to extend civil partnerships comes from the biggest supporters of same-sex marriage in the Labour and Lib Dem parties." "Far from being a wrecking measure, some of the strongest support for my amendment to extend civil partnerships comes from the biggest supporters of same-sex marriage in the Labour and Lib Dem parties," he said.
'Fundamental change'
Ministers say the status of civil partnerships should be reconsidered at a later date and doing so now would throw up a whole new set of "complex" issues, such as pension entitlements for heterosexual civil partners.
"I want to see marriages being undertaken under this bill as early as next summer," she told BBC Radio 4's Today.
"To put in at this stage such a fundamental change, I believe, risks that and risks significant delay. I think those supporting that need to be aware of that."
She added: "We want to get this bill focused on what it set out to do which is to open up marriage to more people and make sure it stays absolutely pivotal in society. This is a distraction."
Labour's equalities team, led by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, is set to support Mr Loughton's amendment.Labour's equalities team, led by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, is set to support Mr Loughton's amendment.
The party, whose support has guaranteed the bill's progress so far, accused the Tories of exaggerating the impact of changes to civil partnerships. The party, whose support has guaranteed the bill's progress so far, accused the Tories of exaggerating the impact of changes to civil partnerships and their potential cost.
The bill will be debated over two days, with its third reading - the final hurdle in the Commons - on Tuesday. If approved, it will go to the House of Lords on Wednesday, where it is expected to face further opposition.The bill will be debated over two days, with its third reading - the final hurdle in the Commons - on Tuesday. 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.