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MPs vote to back gay marriage plans (From The Argus)
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MPs vote to back gay marriage plans
7:25pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
Gay marriage plans have been backed by MPs - with Sussex representatives split on the issue.
Politicians from across the country spent this afternoon debating a bill to allow same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies.
After a lengthy debate which lasted all afternoon, MPs passed the agreement onto the next stage of the law-making process.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said the legislation for England and Wales would create a "fairer place to live" but insisted that religions which objected to the plans would not be forced to conduct same-sex ceremonies.
She claimed it was "simply inconceivable" that the European Court of Human Rights would unpick the Government's "quadruple lock" aimed at protecting religions who did not wish to opt-in to the proposals.
The Commons voted by 400 to 175, majority 225, to give the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill a second reading.
In a late intervention just two hours before MPs voted, the Prime Minister made a televised statement to say the move was about "making our society stronger".
But the debate heard from a number of prominent Tory critics of the proposals who argued they undermined marriage, would alienate voters and could damage the party's election prospects.
Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said: “While the Conservative catfight over the vote will fade into insignificance, the momentous occasion on which MPs were given the chance to stand up for equality in marriage will be remembered for many years to come.
“However, while I'll be voting for equal marriage, I'll also be calling for more far reaching reform to allow everyone - same sex and opposite sex couples - to enjoy a civil partnership or marriage, as they choose.
“This is a question of equal love. It's not about asking for special treatment for gay couples or straight couples, it's about everyone enjoying the same rights regardless of their sexuality.”
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Comments(13)
HJarrs
says...
9:01pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Oooh err
says...
9:23pm Tue 5 Feb 13
An old fashioned idea I know but one that should be supported.
imnotpc
says...
9:43pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Oooh err
says...
9:48pm Tue 5 Feb 13
However I do think the continued attacks on the traditional marraige are undermining the fabric of society and many of the problems we face today can be linked to it.
Vigilia
says...
10:41pm Tue 5 Feb 13
David Cameron has consigned his Party into oblivion.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
11:25pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Divorce and the majority of UK kids are being born out of wedlock the UK needs gays getting married in the hope of salvaging the failing institution. 68 per cent of divorces in the UK are now sought by women which is shocking and something is wrong with marriage as we understand it in the modern world. That's not the Govt undermine marriage that's women wanting out yet the church seems uninterested
In dealing with that issue its still too busy alienating women by voting against female bishops.
And it's interesting that we have apparent large numbers of people in opposition yet churches empty. Where are all these married church loving couples.
Also it must be very upsetting to couples who cannot have kids because they are infertile being told marriage is about having kids. Does that mean they arent a proper marriage?
Never in any religious lesson or church have ever heard that marriage is to make kids.
As for married tax breaks you get child allowance and working tax credits, social housing etc.
If you think a tenner a month makes
People get married you really are mad.
Mr Sworld
says...
11:33pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Oooh err wrote:One person working and one person staying at home without a wage? Are you having a laugh?
No, I mean a tax break for married couples where one person remains at home or works part time so that they can concentrate on raising their family whilst their partner works to support them.
An old fashioned idea I know but one that should be supported.
A two bedroom house in Brighton is about £230,000 nowadays. Both partners need to earn a living wage.
A 'Tax Break' that would cover that would be nice but it's only going to happen in dreams.
CSummers
says...
12:46am Wed 6 Feb 13
Plantpot
says...
7:47am Wed 6 Feb 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:The institution of marriage is only worth something if it's of worth to society.
As two in three marriages now end in
Divorce and the majority of UK kids are being born out of wedlock the UK needs gays getting married in the hope of salvaging the failing institution. 68 per cent of divorces in the UK are now sought by women which is shocking and something is wrong with marriage as we understand it in the modern world. That's not the Govt undermine marriage that's women wanting out yet the church seems uninterested
In dealing with that issue its still too busy alienating women by voting against female bishops.
And it's interesting that we have apparent large numbers of people in opposition yet churches empty. Where are all these married church loving couples.
Also it must be very upsetting to couples who cannot have kids because they are infertile being told marriage is about having kids. Does that mean they arent a proper marriage?
Never in any religious lesson or church have ever heard that marriage is to make kids.
As for married tax breaks you get child allowance and working tax credits, social housing etc.
If you think a tenner a month makes
People get married you really are mad.
Marriage has been undermined over the years as an institution, hence we are now reaping the benefits. Such has been the focus on "inclusiveness" (the vast majority bending over to meet the tiny minority) that UK society and the CofE no longer believe in anything because they believe in everything, no matter how conflicting.
Marriage tax breaks aren't about the money.
You're confusing the CofE with being the only place you can worship God. More people still go to church than attend football matches at the week-end (go find the stat yourself, I've done it several times on these comment forums and can't be bothered to do so again). Non-mainstream churches are flourishing.
HJarrs
says...
7:53am Wed 6 Feb 13
Oooh err wrote:I think you are way behind the times. People with children often do get tax breaks and family allowance. I am all for this, children are a significant expense but benefit to society. However, this has nothing to do with marriage. You are proposing a permanent tax break whether you have children or not or whether they have long flown the nest.
No, I mean a tax break for married couples where one person remains at home or works part time so that they can concentrate on raising their family whilst their partner works to support them.
An old fashioned idea I know but one that should be supported.
Plantpot
says...
7:58am Wed 6 Feb 13
HJarrs wrote:You're confusing money with the message sent out that marriage is a valued institution.
Oooh err wrote:I think you are way behind the times. People with children often do get tax breaks and family allowance. I am all for this, children are a significant expense but benefit to society. However, this has nothing to do with marriage. You are proposing a permanent tax break whether you have children or not or whether they have long flown the nest.
No, I mean a tax break for married couples where one person remains at home or works part time so that they can concentrate on raising their family whilst their partner works to support them.
An old fashioned idea I know but one that should be supported.
Sussex jim
says...
8:25am Wed 6 Feb 13
Oooh err says...
8:04pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Still, marraige as an institution and the foundation for raising children has been undermined by successive parliaments in the name of equality so we shouldn`t be surprised by this.