Gay marriage: Cameron's plea to activists as Commons debate continues
Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron has sought to mend fences with Conservative activists angry over claims an ally of his called them "swivel-eyed loons".
The House of Commons has voted to allow gay marriage in England and Wales, despite 161 MPs opposing the government's plans.
The prime minister has emailed all Tory activists to say he would never employ someone who "sneered" at them.
Several Tory MPs spoke against the proposals, which have caused tensions in the party, but the Labour and the Lib Dem leaderships backed them.
Tory grandee Lord Fowler has warned recent divisions risk making the party look "unpleasant" and unappealing.
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill now goes before the House of Lords.
MPs, meanwhile, are continuing to debate plans to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales.
David Cameron hopes it will become law soon, with the first ceremonies taking place by next summer.
Lord Feldman, the Tory party co-chairman, has denied making the alleged comment about Tory activists to newspaper reporters in relation to Europe.
Tensions between Downing Street and grassroots Conservatives have been exacerbated by the same-sex marriage proposals.
But Tory backbenchers say the comments, if true, illustrate the "growing gap" between Mr Cameron's inner circle and ordinary party members.
There is anger over comments reportedly made by Conservative co-chairman Lord Feldman.
Tensions
He has denied calling activists "mad, swivel-eyed loons" and Mr Cameron has sent an email to party members, insisting they still shared a "deep and lasting friendship" with him.
Tensions between Downing Street and grassroots Tories have also been fuelled by the same sex marriage proposals, with 136 backbench Tory MPs voting on Monday against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
The bill cleared its second reading in the Commons with support from Labour and Lib Dem MPs. It is due to receive its third Commons reading later on Tuesday but is not expected to face opposition on the same scale as Monday's vote.
It could face further objections when it goes to the House of Lords on Wednesday and, if peers make changes to the Bill, they will have to be approved by MPs at a later date.
Proposals to also allow heterosexual couples to take up civil partnerships were rejected by MPs on Monday. They instead backed a Labour plan to consult on civil partnership changes soon - rather than after five years.
In his email to Conservative activists, Mr Cameron said party members would not agree on everything and there would always be "criticism from the sidelines".
But he urged them to focus on what they had in common, stressing he was "proud" of the work they had done and of their "deep and lasting friendship" with him.
"Time and again, Conservative activists like you stand for duty, decency and civic pride," he said. "That's why I am proud to lead this party. I am proud of what you do. And I would never have around me those who sneered or thought otherwise."
The PM needs the support of grassroots activists to help him campaign for an outright majority at the next general election.
But there is anger among some at his stance on gay marriage and Europe, with reports of defections to the UK Independence Party.
Tory MP Brian Binley, who has led calls for an investigation into Lord Feldman's alleged comments, said there was a "growing gap" between the prime minister and the party.
Tory MP Brian Binley, who has led calls for an investigation into Lord Feldman's alleged comments, said there was a "growing gap" between the prime minister and the party.
And Robert Woollard, chairman of the Conservative Grass Roots organisation, suggested Mr Cameron needed to rein in some of his colleagues in No 10 who were "wet behind the ears" and "needed to get out more".
And Robert Woollard, chairman of the Conservative Grass Roots organisation, suggested Mr Cameron needed to rein in some of his colleagues in No 10 who were "wet behind the ears" and "needed to get out more".
"It's too little, too late," he said of Mr Cameron's email. "He's thrown us a bone, but there is no meat on it. What we are asking for is decency, some respect, some regard for our view."
But Culture Secretary Maria Miler said gay marriage was an issue of equality, to which MPs had to show their "commitment".
But former Conservative chairman Lord Fowler said the Tories would be defeated at the next election if MPs do not stop attacking the leadership over Europe and gay marriage.
Demonstrators against the plans held a vigil opposite the Palace of Westminster as the debate took place.
He told the BBC that the party was "all over the place" and heading "straight to disaster" and warned MPs and ministers alike to be more disciplined because a divided party that looks "pretty unpleasant" would get beaten at the polls.
In the Commons vote on the bill's third reading, 366 MPs backed the government, giving it a majority of 205. There was a ripple of applause in the chamber after the result was announced.
'Humanist question'
The result is a marginal improvement for Mr Cameron on the vote at Monday's second reading when 175 MPs opposed the plans.
The government wants gay couples to be able to marry in England and Wales as soon as next summer.
MPs are debating a series of amendments to the bill, including one calling for officially recognised groups, such as charities or voluntary organisations, which support and promote humanism to officiate at marriage ceremonies.
Humanism is a secular system of beliefs that encourages people to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. At the moment, anyone taking part in a humanist ceremony must still have their marriage made legal through a register office, although humanist ceremonies have been a fully legal form of marriage in Scotland since 2005.
MPs backing the amendment, including shadow Labour minister Kate Green, said everyone should be able to marry according to their own beliefs, religious or otherwise.
But Conservative MP Sir Tony Baldry, who speaks on behalf of the Church of England in the Commons, questioned whether the public was ready for the "prospect or possibility of pagan marriages taking place in England".
And Attorney General Dominic Grieve said it was potentially open to legal challenge as it sought to give special status to humanist groups as opposed to other non-religious belief organisations.
The amendment was withdrawn without a vote after ministers said the Bill was not the "mechanism" to affect the change and could potentially delay its progress.
MPs will also debate related issues, such as the definition of non-religious marriage, proposals for "civil unions" between gay and heterosexual couples and changes to the benefits system arising from the legalisation of gay marriage.
