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Gay marriage: Final reading in Commons | Gay marriage: Final reading in Commons |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The government's same-sex marriage bill is to receive a third and final Commons reading after surviving resistance from Tory opponents on Monday night. | The government's same-sex marriage bill is to receive a third and final Commons reading after surviving resistance from Tory opponents on Monday night. |
A proposal - which would have delayed the new law - to also allow straight couples to take up civil partnerships was defeated by 375 votes to 70. | A proposal - which would have delayed the new law - to also allow straight couples to take up civil partnerships was defeated by 375 votes to 70. |
MPs instead backed a Labour plan to consult on civil partnership changes soon - rather than after five years. | MPs instead backed a Labour plan to consult on civil partnership changes soon - rather than after five years. |
Gay couples could now marry in England and Wales as soon as summer 2014. | Gay couples could now marry in England and Wales as soon as summer 2014. |
While MPs gave their support in principle to gay marriage in February, proposed amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill are being discussed over two days with a third reading - the final Commons hurdle - to take place later. | While MPs gave their support in principle to gay marriage in February, proposed amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill are being discussed over two days with a third reading - the final Commons hurdle - to take place later. |
If approved, it is expected to face further opposition when it goes to the House of Lords on Wednesday. | If approved, it is expected to face further opposition when it goes to the House of Lords on Wednesday. |
'Glaring inequality' | 'Glaring inequality' |
In the Commons on Tuesday, MPs will vote on an amendment to the Marriage Bill, put forward by the Humanist Association, to allow recognised groups to officiate at marriage ceremonies. | In the Commons on Tuesday, MPs will vote on an amendment to the Marriage Bill, put forward by the Humanist Association, to allow recognised groups to officiate at marriage ceremonies. |
At the moment, anyone taking part in a humanist ceremony must still have their marriage made legal through a register office. | At the moment, anyone taking part in a humanist ceremony must still have their marriage made legal through a register office. |
Humanist ceremonies have been a fully legal form of marriage in Scotland since 2005. | Humanist ceremonies have been a fully legal form of marriage in Scotland since 2005. |
Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, said: "The amendment does not open up legal recognition for any new weddings other than humanist ones. | |
"Humanist weddings are popular and meaningful and legal recognition for them would be fair, timely, and not at all controversial." | |
But Conservative MP Sir Tony Baldry said the plan was "not a particularly sensible amendment, whichever side of the argument you're on". | But Conservative MP Sir Tony Baldry said the plan was "not a particularly sensible amendment, whichever side of the argument you're on". |
Among Monday's attempted amendments were one tabled by a group of Tory MPs led by former Conservative minister Tim Loughton aimed at extending civil partnerships, which came into force in 2005, to heterosexual couples. | Among Monday's attempted amendments were one tabled by a group of Tory MPs led by former Conservative minister Tim Loughton aimed at extending civil partnerships, which came into force in 2005, to heterosexual couples. |
Ministers had initially agreed that the status of civil partnerships should be reconsidered by 2019, with the possibility of doing so sooner if approved by Parliament. | Ministers had initially agreed that the status of civil partnerships should be reconsidered by 2019, with the possibility of doing so sooner if approved by Parliament. |
Mr Loughton rejected claims his proposal was a "wrecking" measure, saying extending civil partnerships to co-habiting heterosexuals addressed a "glaring inequality" in current proposals. | Mr Loughton rejected claims his proposal was a "wrecking" measure, saying extending civil partnerships to co-habiting heterosexuals addressed a "glaring inequality" in current proposals. |
'Unwavering support' | 'Unwavering support' |
It was initially suggested Labour's equalities team might support Mr Loughton's amendment but it later put forward its own compromise proposal for an immediate consultation. | It was initially suggested Labour's equalities team might support Mr Loughton's amendment but it later put forward its own compromise proposal for an immediate consultation. |
Speaking in the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Maria Miller thanked other parties for their "unwavering support" for the principles of the same-sex Marriage Bill and said a review of civil partnerships could take place "very swiftly". | Speaking in the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Maria Miller thanked other parties for their "unwavering support" for the principles of the same-sex Marriage Bill and said a review of civil partnerships could take place "very swiftly". |
Labour said the review could potentially take place within the next few months, enabling its findings to be reflected in the final legislation. | Labour said the review could potentially take place within the next few months, enabling its findings to be reflected in the final legislation. |
"We are certainly anxious to do all we can to ensure that same-sex marriages arrives as swiftly as possible on the statute book," shadow equalities minister Kate Green said. | "We are certainly anxious to do all we can to ensure that same-sex marriages arrives as swiftly as possible on the statute book," shadow equalities minister Kate Green said. |
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was his party's position to extend civil partnerships to everybody, irrespective of their sexuality but the current bill could not be derailed. | Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was his party's position to extend civil partnerships to everybody, irrespective of their sexuality but the current bill could not be derailed. |
Prime Minister David Cameron has said equal marriage would help build a stronger and fairer society but nearly half of all Tories voted against it in February. | Prime Minister David Cameron has said equal marriage would help build a stronger and fairer society but nearly half of all Tories voted against it in February. |
In a series of free votes on gay marriage on Monday night, more than 100 Tory MPs registered their objections to different parts of the legislation. | In a series of free votes on gay marriage on Monday night, more than 100 Tory MPs registered their objections to different parts of the legislation. |
MPs will get their final chance to vote on the bill on Tuesday night. | MPs will get their final chance to vote on the bill on Tuesday night. |