Labour and Tories tussle over who’s most pro-gay

The Prime Minister has been quick to point out Labour’s record on ‘gay rights’ laws in response to Tory attempts to woo homosexual voters.

Gordon Brown told the organisers of a gay pride march taking place in London tomorrow they had “changed the world”.

Offering the example of civil partnerships, Mr Brown said Labour had made “massive strides towards equality” for homosexual people.

Earlier this week, Conservative leader David Cameron said he was sorry the party had supported a law against the promotion of homosexuality in schools.

He said the party’s attitudes towards ‘gay rights’ had changed.

Neither party leader is expected to attend tomorrow’s march, although the Prime Minister’s wife will be there.

Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman today attacked the Conservatives’ record on ‘gay rights’.

She said: “The essential heart of the Tories is homophobic. I don’t think anyone should be fooled by the apology, which is already 25 years too late.

“It is not the view of the Tory party. They have voted against the Equality Bill. If they were sincere, they would support it.”

This was followed by further attacks from openly homosexual Labour ministers Ben Bradshaw and Chris Bryant.

Mr Bradshaw told the BBC “a deep strain of homophobia still exists on the Conservative benches”, while Mr Bryant warned: “If gays vote Tory they will rue the day very soon.”

This prompted a response from Conservative frontbencher Alan Duncan, who is also openly gay: “I have publicly paid tribute to Tony Blair for his achievements, particularly on introducing civil partnerships. David Cameron this week said that on section 28 we had to admit we got it wrong. The party has changed.”

Earlier this year Mr Duncan was criticised for joking during an appearance on a TV comedy show about murdering an American beauty queen because of her opposition to gay marriage.

Mr Cameron has made clear on more than one occasion his support for the idea of ‘gay marriage’.

Last year another senior Conservative said the party had been wrong to oppose measures such as allowing gay adoption.

In May it was reported that Mr Cameron had made reaching out to homosexual groups one of his top five campaign priorities.