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Gay marriage: Tories seek referendum on same-sex weddings Gay marriage: Tories seek referendum on same-sex weddings
(5 months later)
A group of Conservative MPs has proposed a referendum to allow the public to vote on gay marriage in one of several amendments aimed at watering down the bill to legitimise same-sex weddings. More than 100 MPs may support the call for a referendum, sources said.A group of Conservative MPs has proposed a referendum to allow the public to vote on gay marriage in one of several amendments aimed at watering down the bill to legitimise same-sex weddings. More than 100 MPs may support the call for a referendum, sources said.
The amendments have gained more support among Tory MPs since the UK Independence party's surge in support in the county council elections, which some MPs attribute in part to opposition among voters to the gay marriage bill. More proposals from backbenchers are expected to be laid before parliament this week.The amendments have gained more support among Tory MPs since the UK Independence party's surge in support in the county council elections, which some MPs attribute in part to opposition among voters to the gay marriage bill. More proposals from backbenchers are expected to be laid before parliament this week.
The development will be seen as further evidence that traditionalists in the Conservatives have been emboldened to challenge prime minister David Cameron's modernisation programme.The development will be seen as further evidence that traditionalists in the Conservatives have been emboldened to challenge prime minister David Cameron's modernisation programme.
The amendments include measures to allow registrars to opt out if they have strong religious or principled objections to same-sex marriage. Religious schools and teachers would be given the right to refuse to teach the topic.The amendments include measures to allow registrars to opt out if they have strong religious or principled objections to same-sex marriage. Religious schools and teachers would be given the right to refuse to teach the topic.
Maria Miller, the culture secretary, who is steering the legislation through parliament, is understood to be preparing to send guidance to register offices. It is expected to suggest that registrars with strong personal objections could have them taken into account. They may be able to take on other duties, unless there is a shortage of people to marry same-sex couples.Maria Miller, the culture secretary, who is steering the legislation through parliament, is understood to be preparing to send guidance to register offices. It is expected to suggest that registrars with strong personal objections could have them taken into account. They may be able to take on other duties, unless there is a shortage of people to marry same-sex couples.
Labour is understood to be considering applying a whip to the free vote but some of its MPs with religious objections are expected to vote for some of the amendments during a Commons debate on 20-21 May.Labour is understood to be considering applying a whip to the free vote but some of its MPs with religious objections are expected to vote for some of the amendments during a Commons debate on 20-21 May.
Miller is expected to offer guidance that teachers would not be expected to actively promote gay marriage and could even voice personal objections, although they would have to teach children that marriage between same-sex couples was within the law.Miller is expected to offer guidance that teachers would not be expected to actively promote gay marriage and could even voice personal objections, although they would have to teach children that marriage between same-sex couples was within the law.
The government is expected to reject a clause which says the bill cannot become law until it is approved by 51% of voters in a national referendum.The government is expected to reject a clause which says the bill cannot become law until it is approved by 51% of voters in a national referendum.
The rebels will try to add a clause preventing people who criticise same-sex marriage from being prosecuted on the grounds of discrimination.The rebels will try to add a clause preventing people who criticise same-sex marriage from being prosecuted on the grounds of discrimination.
They want to ensure that a local authority "with an axe to grind" cannot discriminate against churches that refuse to perform same-sex weddings, which they are allowed to do under the law.They want to ensure that a local authority "with an axe to grind" cannot discriminate against churches that refuse to perform same-sex weddings, which they are allowed to do under the law.
David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, who is a practising Christian, tabled the amendments. "Despite 13 sittings of the bill committee and a majority of Conservative MPs voting against the bill, the government has not amended one word of it," he told the Sunday Times.David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, who is a practising Christian, tabled the amendments. "Despite 13 sittings of the bill committee and a majority of Conservative MPs voting against the bill, the government has not amended one word of it," he told the Sunday Times.
Another amendment tabled by Tory backbenchers calls for the right to civil marriage to be extended to heterosexual couples to balance out the new right of gay people to be married.Another amendment tabled by Tory backbenchers calls for the right to civil marriage to be extended to heterosexual couples to balance out the new right of gay people to be married.
A Whitehall source rejected claims that Miller was preparing concessions over the bill: "There are no major changes, but other amendments will be examined as they come in."A Whitehall source rejected claims that Miller was preparing concessions over the bill: "There are no major changes, but other amendments will be examined as they come in."
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