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Gay marriage: Tory chairmen call for delay on vote Gay marriage: Tory chairmen call for delay on vote
(35 minutes later)
Senior local Conservatives are urging the prime minister to delay any parliamentary decision on gay marriage until after the next election.Senior local Conservatives are urging the prime minister to delay any parliamentary decision on gay marriage until after the next election.
More than 20 Conservative Association chairmen have signed a letter to be delivered to No 10 on Sunday.More than 20 Conservative Association chairmen have signed a letter to be delivered to No 10 on Sunday.
It says they "fear that, if enacted, this bill will lead to significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run-up to the 2015 election".It says they "fear that, if enacted, this bill will lead to significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run-up to the 2015 election".
The Commons votes next week on the government's plans for gay marriage.The Commons votes next week on the government's plans for gay marriage.
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, where a religious institution had formally consented, in England and Wales.The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, where a religious institution had formally consented, in England and Wales.
It would also allow couples who have previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationship into a marriage.It would also allow couples who have previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationship into a marriage.
'No mandate''No mandate'
Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph reports that some 180 Conservative MPs, including six whips and up to four members of the Cabinet, are ready to defy the prime minister's plan to legalise gay weddings.Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph reports that some 180 Conservative MPs, including six whips and up to four members of the Cabinet, are ready to defy the prime minister's plan to legalise gay weddings.
Same-sex marriage is a divisive one for the Conservatives.Same-sex marriage is a divisive one for the Conservatives.
Many big beasts of the party, including London Mayor Boris Johnson, support it. He says they should "just whack it through".Many big beasts of the party, including London Mayor Boris Johnson, support it. He says they should "just whack it through".
But this haste worries many traditional supporters.But this haste worries many traditional supporters.
Tory MPs are being given a free vote on the proposals and it's thought three cabinet members, as well as junior ministers and party whips, are among those likely to oppose or abstain.Tory MPs are being given a free vote on the proposals and it's thought three cabinet members, as well as junior ministers and party whips, are among those likely to oppose or abstain.
Grassroots members have also made clear their opposition in the letter signed by 25 chairmen or former chairmen of Conservative Party associations. Grassroots members have also made clear their opposition in the letter signed by chairmen or former chairmen of Conservative Party associations.
Giving same-sex couples the right to marry in a religious setting is something David Cameron hoped would win the party broader support.Giving same-sex couples the right to marry in a religious setting is something David Cameron hoped would win the party broader support.
But, it seems, the issue risks splitting the party and alienating the party's core support.But, it seems, the issue risks splitting the party and alienating the party's core support.
The delivery of the letter coincides with the launch of a new website that "seeks to prosper relationships and provide resources for local Conservatives concerned that the current leadership is losing touch with the core values of Conservatism".The delivery of the letter coincides with the launch of a new website that "seeks to prosper relationships and provide resources for local Conservatives concerned that the current leadership is losing touch with the core values of Conservatism".
In their letter, the current and recent chairmen, who describe themselves as "long-standing members of the Conservative Party, [who] want to support the Party to victory, as we have done in every past election" underline the depth of their concern over the impact of the plans on party morale and electoral appeal. In their letter, the current and recent Conservative party chairmen, warn about the impact of the plans on party morale and electoral appeal.
Writing "specifically out of our concerns about the growing discord within the Conservative Party over this issue", they also say "resignations from the party are beginning to multiply".Writing "specifically out of our concerns about the growing discord within the Conservative Party over this issue", they also say "resignations from the party are beginning to multiply".
"We feel very strongly that the decision to bring this bill before Parliament has been made without adequate debate or consultation with either the membership of the Conservative Party or with the country at large. They say the decision for the vote has been made without adequate consultation with the Conservative Party membership or the country at large.
"We are of the clear view that there is no mandate for this bill to be passed in either the 2010 Conservative Manifesto or the 2010 Coalition Agreement and that it is being pushed through Parliament in a manner which a significant proportion of Conservative Party members find extremely distasteful and contrary to the principles of both the party and the best traditions of our democracy." It says they think there is no mandate for the bill and that it is being pushed through in a way members find "extremely distasteful".
They add: "More time should be afforded to debate an issue of such gravity… and a final decision on the matter should be postponed until after the 2015 general election when the public would have had the chance to vote on a clear manifesto pledge." "More time should be afforded to debate an issue of such gravity… and a final decision on the matter should be postponed until after the 2015 general election when the public would have had the chance to vote on a clear manifesto pledge," they write.
Gove support
But Conservative culture minister Ed Vaizey told Sky News he was supporting the government's bill.
He said people in "loving relationships" deserve an "opportunity" to marry, adding: "Equal civil marriage is not distracting the government from a whole range of other important issues."
However, Conservative former education minister Tim Loughton sais it was the "wrong time" to introduce such legislation.
Also, Education Secretary Michael Gove has offered his support to the proposed legalisation of same-sex marriage but said teachers would not be disciplined for refusing to promote it.Also, Education Secretary Michael Gove has offered his support to the proposed legalisation of same-sex marriage but said teachers would not be disciplined for refusing to promote it.
"It's wrong to say that because of how you love and who you love, you are not entitled to the same rights as others. It's wrong because inequality is wrong," he wrote in the Mail on Sunday."It's wrong to say that because of how you love and who you love, you are not entitled to the same rights as others. It's wrong because inequality is wrong," he wrote in the Mail on Sunday.
On Saturday, it emerged the government would not introduce a tax break for married couples in next month's Budget.On Saturday, it emerged the government would not introduce a tax break for married couples in next month's Budget.
There had been speculation David Cameron would bring in the measure to appease Tory backbenchers who are opposed to gay marriage.There had been speculation David Cameron would bring in the measure to appease Tory backbenchers who are opposed to gay marriage.
However, legislation is expected to be introduced before 2015 to allow couples to transfer part of their personal tax allowance to their partner.However, legislation is expected to be introduced before 2015 to allow couples to transfer part of their personal tax allowance to their partner.