Basingstoke MP says change is needed

8:46am Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Gazette reporter

Maria Miller Maria Miller

BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller has announced that she is in favour of gay marriage.

The revelation by the newly-appointed Equalities Minister is a significant development in the Government’s attempts to push through the law change.

When Mrs Miller was promoted to the role of Equalities Minister and Culture Secretary in David Cameron’s recent reshuffle, it was seen as a controversial appointment because of her voting record on gay rights issues.

Campaign groups pointed out she had been absent from key equality votes, and in 2008 voted against allowing same-sex couples access to fertility treatment.

But now she has confirmed her support for extending marriage to same sex couples, as long as clergy are not forced to carry out ceremonies.

Mrs Miller said: “The state should not stop two people undertaking civil marriage unless there are good reasons, and I believe being gay is not one of them.

“When it comes to the state’s role in marriage, I and the Government think a change is needed.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has thrown his weight behind the law change. But the proposal has provoked a furious backlash from some church leaders and some Tory MPs.

Related links

The Right Reverend Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, and the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, who used to hold the post, have both signed up to the Coalition for Marriage campaign.

However, Hampshire MPs are broadly supportive of the move.

It is likely that MPs will be given a ‘free vote’ on the issue, meaning they are not bound by party lines, if it comes before the House of Commons.

Comments(3)

BugBear says...
2:33pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I would take anything this woman says with a pince of salt.

Apart from as stated above 'Campaign groups pointed out she had been absent from key equality votes, and in 2008 voted against allowing same-sex couples access to fertility treatment' she also supported a referendum on our membership of the EU until she became a minister and did a complete about face.

Funny how principles go out the window once these people get a whiff of power. Still she's not unique, most of the cronies Libdems, Tories and Labour are much the same and they wonder why people are disillusioned with politics and politicians, seems obvious to me.

Report this post »

jockthekearney says...
2:14pm Thu 27 Sep 12

I wish I could work out why a man marrying a man is `equal` to a man marrying a woman. If it is because they love one another and that is made the sole judge of equality in marriage then, then what about a man marrying two women, indeed in Brazil a Civil Partnership between three such people was recently approved on this principle. That is the point the Churches are making, a representative of the law in Brazil admitted that the principle of the legislation passed for gays allowed more flexibility. We are then swept along by the claim that the Churches will not be affected and will be protected by law. Well, in Denmark such a law was in force but last June it was repealed. Laws made by Parliament can be so easily overturned so there is not real protection. The question of marriage is not about gay bashing, it is about protecting marriage in its present form recognised for thousands of years by different cultures throughout the world. The guiding principle was that a man who fathered a child and the mother who gave birth were the most suitable person to raise their offspring. That makes sense and any other form of marrage does not.

Report this post »

robertspet8 says...
4:44pm Thu 4 Oct 12

jockthekearney says, 'The question of marriage is not about gay bashing, it is about protecting marriage in its present form recognised for thousands of years by different cultures throughout the world.'
Marriage in its present form is a fairly recent institution. It has continuously evolved during our history to meet the changing needs of individuals, the church and the state. Marriage has never been protected against change and there are almost as many forms of marriage in the world today as there are cultures. Such things as child brides, forced and arranged marriages, polygamy, etc., have been accepted in Britain at some points in our history and are still acceptable in some societies today.
Why would we want to halt the continuing evolution of marriage at this particular point in time - the only reasons I can think of are ignorance and prejudice.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree