Govt has ‘no view’ on a Scots referendum on gay marriage

The Scottish Office has told a Westminster Committee that it has no view on whether redefining marriage in Scotland should be subject to a referendum.

The Scottish Government is currently holding a consultation on whether to rewrite the traditional definition of marriage so that people of the same sex can marry.

However, earlier this month former Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Gordon Wilson called for the issue to be put to a public vote.

Marriage

While the SNP is planning to give people a vote on whether Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom, it has no such plans for the nation’s future definition of marriage.

When Michael Moore, the UK’s Secretary of State for Scotland, was asked if his office had a view on the issue he said “No”.

The prospect of marriage being so radically redefined has aroused widespread opposition.

Children

Sir Tom Farmer, the millionaire founder of Kwik-Fit and a Scottish National Party donor, said: “Most people would see a marriage as being between two of the opposite sexes, the male and the female.

“One of the main important areas of marriage is the creation of children, and the family life.”

Earlier this week one of Scotland’s most senior Roman Catholics said that the Scottish Government risks making the beliefs of many Scots “unlawful” if it redefines marriage.

Vulnerable

Mario Conti, the Archbishop of Glasgow, has cautioned that a “hugely significant number” of Scots would be “vulnerable to accusations of discrimination” if they support traditional marriage.

Earlier this month a veteran SNP activist blasted the party saying that a “politically correct secular society” that redefines marriage was not his idea of an independent Scotland.

In a strong rebuke to his own party, 75-year-old Alan Clayton called for deputy leader, Nicola Sturgeon, to resign over the issue.

Redefine

The Free Church of Scotland has also added its voice to that of the Roman Catholic Church in speaking out against moves to redefine marriage.

The Free Church Commission said that to change the meaning of marriage shows “an irrational determination to force a form of equality upon society which is not rooted in any recognised moral foundation”.