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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".
"Humanists are nice people but this amendment, if passed, would effectively open up marriage, not just to humanists, but open it up to pagans, Jedi knights, spiritualists, and I really don't think that people in England want to see Jedi knight marriages," he said.
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.