MPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government’s legislation for same-sex marriage in England and Wales. At the conclusion of the Commons’ first opportunity to debate the The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, MPs voted by 400 to 175, a majority of 225, in favour of the legislation.
It’s estimated some 140 Tory MPs voted to reject equal marriage.
Here was my immediate reaction…
Equal marriage passed by 400 votes to 175 – 225 majority in favour of the state treating everyone equally. That’ll do.
— Stephen Tall (@stephentall) February 5, 2013
And here’s what some Lib Dem MPs had to say today…
Huge majority of MPs in favour of #equalmarriage – fantastic result and huge step forward!
— Lynne Featherstone (@lfeatherstone) February 5, 2013
No matter who you are and who you love, we are all equal. #equalmarriage
— Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg) February 5, 2013
Based on tonight’s vote the Tory party itself is a liberal/ conservative coalition
—Ian Swales (@iswales) February 5, 2013
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill clears first Commons vote by 400 to 175 Huge win. Now to detailed Committee stage. I am on committee.
— Stephen Williams MP (@swilliamsmp) February 5, 2013
Second reading of Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Ayes 400 Noes 175. Great result.
— Tom Brake MP (@thomasbrake) February 5, 2013
House of Commons votes for #equalmarriage by 400 to 175 – fantastic majority of 225! #fb
— Jo Swinson(@joswinson) February 5, 2013
1st stage of equal marriage well and truly won. Love is love: no one’s love should be counted as inferior to another’s.
— Lorely Burt (@LorelyBurt) February 5, 2013
And the result is … A win for #equalmarriage by 400-175. Fantastic news! #fb
— Julian Huppert (@julianhuppert) February 5, 2013
Voting, after a thoughtful and at times moving debate, to support the 2nd reading of the Marriage (same sex couples) Bill. #fb
— Duncan Hames (@duncanhames) February 5, 2013
it’s slow moving in the “Aye” lobby – full of MPs from all parties – a good sign! #EqualMarriage
— Stephen Gilbert MP (@stephen_gilbert) February 5, 2013
@stephen_gilbert Just delivered one of the finest speeches I have heard in almost 12 years as an MP. Proud to have him as a colleague.
— Alistair Carmichael (@acarmichaelmp) February 5, 2013
New post: Marriage Bill set for Landmark vote in Parliament tinyurl.com/9w9qbrp #equalmarriage
— Lynne Featherstone (@lfeatherstone) February 5, 2013
* Stephen was Editor (and Co-Editor) of Liberal Democrat Voice from 2007 to 2015, and writes at The Collected Stephen Tall.
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4 Comments
Don’t forget that this is just the start of the legislative process. LGBT+ Lib Dems have been scrutinising the legislation to bring it closer in line to Lib Dem party policy and Julian Huppert has already submitted two amendments!
And this isn’t, yet, equal marriage. It’s same-sex marriage. We’re working to make it worthy of the name “equal marriage” before it becomes law.
And will the same LibDem MPs troop through the lobbies to support the Secret Courts Bill? Interesting priorities at work…
james, i honestly don’t know how that is related.
The passing of this Bill is fantastic, but at the same time we are party to the Tories desire to debilitate the effectiveness of the very legislation that will be needed to enforce these changes.
The Equality Act, 2010 is under threat. There is an attempt through the Enterprise and Regulatory Bill to remove key clauses that the Tories believe inhibit employers from being effective, which they do, it stops them from being effective abusers of their staff.
For a brief summary of the proposed changes, check out the Equality and Diversity Forum website http://www.edf.org.uk/blog/?p=18998
Baroness Meral Hussein- Ece is currently championing the corner in the Lords, but more support is needed if we are going to save the equalities legislation that this country could once rightly be so proud of.
Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
English Party Diversity Champion
07886 799256