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Gay marriage debate in quotes Gay marriage debate in quotes
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Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North Thanet: "It is not possible to redefine marriage. Marriage is the union between a man and a woman; has been historically; remains so. It is Alice in Wonderland territory, Orwellian almost, for any government of any political persuasion to seek to come along and try to re-write the lexicon. It will not do … If the government is serious about this, take it away, abolish the civil partnerships bill, abolish civil marriage and create a civil union bill that applies to all people irrespective of their sexuality or their relationship. That means brothers and brothers and sisters and sisters and brothers and sisters as well." Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North Thanet: "It is not possible to redefine marriage. Marriage is the union between a man and a woman; has been historically; remains so. It is Alice in Wonderland territory, Orwellian almost, for any government of any political persuasion to seek to come along and try to rewrite the lexicon. It will not do … If the government is serious about this, take it away, abolish the civil partnerships bill, abolish civil marriage and create a civil union bill that applies to all people irrespective of their sexuality or their relationship. That means brothers and brothers and sisters and sisters and brothers and sisters as well."
Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough: "We should be in the business of protecting cherished institutions and our cultural heritage otherwise what, I ask, is a Conservative party for? Indeed we are alienating people who have voted for us for all their lives, leaving them with no one to vote for." Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough: "We should be in the business of protecting cherished institutions and our cultural heritage, otherwise what, I ask, is a Conservative party for? Indeed we are alienating people who have voted for us for all their lives, leaving them with no one to vote for."
Nadine Dorries, former Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire: "The definition of marriage is based on the definition of sex. And in the 1973 Act it is impossible to shoehorn in same sex marriage and to provide equality. This bill in no way makes a requirement of faithfulness from same sex couples - in fact it does the opposite. In a heterosexual marriage, a couple can divorce for adultery, the legal requirement is if you have sex with a member of the opposite sex. A gay couple have no obligation to make that vow because they do not have to forsake all others because they cannot divorce for adultery - there is no requirement for faithfulness. And if there is no requirement of faithfulness, what is a marriage?" Nadine Dorries, former Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire: "The definition of marriage is based on the definition of sex. And in the 1973 Act it is impossible to shoehorn in same sex marriage and to provide equality. This bill in no way makes a requirement of faithfulness from same sex couples – in fact it does the opposite. In a heterosexual marriage, a couple can divorce for adultery, the legal requirement is if you have sex with a member of the opposite sex. A gay couple have no obligation to make that vow because they do not have to forsake all others because they cannot divorce for adultery – there is no requirement for faithfulness. And if there is no requirement of faithfulness, what is a marriage?"
Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham: "Who are we, this government or this country, to redefine the term marriage that has meant one man and one woman across cultures, across ages, across geographical barriers since before state and religion themselves?"Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham: "Who are we, this government or this country, to redefine the term marriage that has meant one man and one woman across cultures, across ages, across geographical barriers since before state and religion themselves?"
Peter Bone, Conservative MP for Wellingborough: "It is my saddest day as an MP when my party brings in a bill which I'm fundamentally opposed to. I'm very sad my party has brought this in without any democratic mandate."Peter Bone, Conservative MP for Wellingborough: "It is my saddest day as an MP when my party brings in a bill which I'm fundamentally opposed to. I'm very sad my party has brought this in without any democratic mandate."
Sir Gerald Howarth, Conservative MP for Aldershot: "I am not a Tory moderniser, for I believe that marriage can only be between a man and woman and I shall not surrender my principles. I believe this bill is wrong, the consultation process was a complete sham, it is opposed by the established church, it has caused deep and needless divisions within the Conservative party, there is no mandate for it, there are huge potential consequences, not least the prospect of endless legal challenge and the nation faces much more serious challenges which the government needs to address.Sir Gerald Howarth, Conservative MP for Aldershot: "I am not a Tory moderniser, for I believe that marriage can only be between a man and woman and I shall not surrender my principles. I believe this bill is wrong, the consultation process was a complete sham, it is opposed by the established church, it has caused deep and needless divisions within the Conservative party, there is no mandate for it, there are huge potential consequences, not least the prospect of endless legal challenge and the nation faces much more serious challenges which the government needs to address.
Maria Miller, culture secretary and Conservative MP for Basingstoke: "Equal marriage should not come at the cost of freedom of faith, nor freedom of faith come at the cost of equal marriage. We are capable of accommodating both; this bill does so in a very straightforward manner. This bill is about one thing: it is about fairness; it is about giving those who want to get married the opportunity to do so whilst protecting the rights of those who don't agree with same-sex marriage. Marriage is one of the most important institutions we have, it binds society and families together, it is a building block that promotes stability. This bill supports and cultivates marriage."Maria Miller, culture secretary and Conservative MP for Basingstoke: "Equal marriage should not come at the cost of freedom of faith, nor freedom of faith come at the cost of equal marriage. We are capable of accommodating both; this bill does so in a very straightforward manner. This bill is about one thing: it is about fairness; it is about giving those who want to get married the opportunity to do so whilst protecting the rights of those who don't agree with same-sex marriage. Marriage is one of the most important institutions we have, it binds society and families together, it is a building block that promotes stability. This bill supports and cultivates marriage."
Margot James, Conservative MP for Stourbridge: "I believe my party should never flinch from the requirement that we must continue this progression, otherwise we may end up like the Republican party who lost an election last year that they could have won were it not for their socially conservative agenda. We may have gone two steps forward, but I fear we may have gone one step backwards. The modernisation of the Conservative party is not yet complete."Margot James, Conservative MP for Stourbridge: "I believe my party should never flinch from the requirement that we must continue this progression, otherwise we may end up like the Republican party who lost an election last year that they could have won were it not for their socially conservative agenda. We may have gone two steps forward, but I fear we may have gone one step backwards. The modernisation of the Conservative party is not yet complete."
Nick Herbert, Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs: "Are the marriages of millions of straight people about to be threatened because a few thousand gay people are permitted to join? What will they say: 'Darling our marriage is over, Sir Elton John has just got engaged to David Furnish'?"Nick Herbert, Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs: "Are the marriages of millions of straight people about to be threatened because a few thousand gay people are permitted to join? What will they say: 'Darling our marriage is over, Sir Elton John has just got engaged to David Furnish'?"
Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green: "I say to my colleagues that I sit alongside them in committee, in the bars and in the tea room, and I queue alongside them in the division lobby. But when it comes to marriage, they are asking me to stand apart and to join a separate queue. I ask my colleagues, if I am equal in this house, to give me every opportunity to be equal."Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green: "I say to my colleagues that I sit alongside them in committee, in the bars and in the tea room, and I queue alongside them in the division lobby. But when it comes to marriage, they are asking me to stand apart and to join a separate queue. I ask my colleagues, if I am equal in this house, to give me every opportunity to be equal."
David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham: "Let me speak frankly: separate but equal is a fraud. It is the language that tried to push Rosa Parks to the back of the bus. It is the motif that determined that black and white people could not possibly drink from the same water fountain, eat at the same table or use the same toilets."David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham: "Let me speak frankly: separate but equal is a fraud. It is the language that tried to push Rosa Parks to the back of the bus. It is the motif that determined that black and white people could not possibly drink from the same water fountain, eat at the same table or use the same toilets."
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary and Labour MP for Pontefract and Castleford: "We all support the idea of a strong marriage, we all clearly like a good party. Call us hopeless romantics, call it the triumph of hope over experience - most of us think when people love each other and want to make that long-term commitment, that is a wonderful thing. So why would we stop a loving couple getting married just because they are gay?" Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary and Labour MP for Pontefract and Castleford: "We all support the idea of a strong marriage, we all clearly like a good party. Call us hopeless romantics, call it the triumph of hope over experience – most of us think when people love each other and want to make that long-term commitment, that is a wonderful thing. So why would we stop a loving couple getting married just because they are gay?"
Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat leader: "I genuinely believe that we will look back on today as a landmark for equality in Britain … No matter who you are and who you love, we are all equal. Marriage is about love and commitment, and it should no longer be denied to people just because they are gay."Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat leader: "I genuinely believe that we will look back on today as a landmark for equality in Britain … No matter who you are and who you love, we are all equal. Marriage is about love and commitment, and it should no longer be denied to people just because they are gay."
Ed Miliband, Labour leader: "This is a proud day and an important step forward in the fight for equality in Britain. The overwhelming majority of Labour MPs supported this change to make sure marriage reflects the value we place on long-term, loving relationships whoever you love."Ed Miliband, Labour leader: "This is a proud day and an important step forward in the fight for equality in Britain. The overwhelming majority of Labour MPs supported this change to make sure marriage reflects the value we place on long-term, loving relationships whoever you love."
David Cameron (in a tweet after the vote): "Strong views exist on both sides but I believe MPs voting for gay people being able to marry too, is a step forward for our country."David Cameron (in a tweet after the vote): "Strong views exist on both sides but I believe MPs voting for gay people being able to marry too, is a step forward for our country."