Live blog: MPs debate and vote on same-sex marriage and opposite sex civil partnerships
The House of Commons debate same-sex marriage and whether opposite sex couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships.
Downing Street will decide tactics for equal marriage bill after vote on straight civil partnership amendment
The Government may withdraw its support for the pending equal marriage bill for England and Wales, if an amendment to allow civil partnerships to straight couples passes.
Nick Clegg: ‘I will make sure the same-sex marriage bill doesn’t get hijacked by those with ulterior motives’
Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says he will not allow Tory opponents to succeed in wrecking the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
Francis Maude: How my late gay brother’s legacy shaped my equal marriage support
Francis Maude, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and a vocal supporter of LGBT rights in the Conservative Party, has written ahead of today's debate on the same-sex marriage bill about how the loss of his gay brother led him to support marriage equality.
Lib Dem MP Stephen Gilbert: ‘Equal marriage is now a litmus test for David Cameron’
Writing exclusively for PinkNews.co.uk, Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert says today’s start of the third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is a huge test for David Cameron.
Church of Scotland set to debate ordination of gay clergy
The Church of Scotland is due to debate today whether it will continue to allow the ordination of lesbian and gay ministers. Around 850 ministers will take part in the annual General Assembly in Edinburgh this week.
Gay Tory MP Crispin Blunt: ‘David Cameron is going through a fire with his colleagues in order to deliver equal marriage’
In an exclusive interview with PinkNews.co.uk, Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, says David Cameron has shown “fantastic leadership” on equal marriage. The MP also comments on today’s start of the third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, and Philip Hammond’s recent criticism.
Maria Miller: Civil partnership amendment could delay same-sex marriage bill by two years
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has warned that a proposed backbench amendment on civil partnerships for heterosexuals could dramatically delay implementation of the same-sex marriage bill.
Lynne Featherstone: I support opposite-sex civil partnerships but the amendment may be a ‘cynical trap’
Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has said she supports opposite-sex civil partnerships, but is concerned that proposed amendments to the same-sex marriage bill allowing them are being pushed by marriage equality opponents.
Poll: 73% of MPs support civil partnerships amendment to equal marriage bill
A new ComRes survey of 159 MPs, conducted over the past month, has found overwhelming parliamentary support for the amendment to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, championed by Tim Loughton MP, which would extend civil partnerships to opposite sex couples.
