MPs to debate same-sex marriage Bill again

The Bill to redefine marriage will be debated by MPs later this month, as they consider amendments to the controversial proposals.

In February MPs voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, but more Conservative MPs voted against than for the plans.

Following consideration by a small committee of MPs in February and March, the Bill will now go before the whole House of Commons on Monday 20 May.

Clear

There will be two days of debate in the Commons for MPs to consider changes to the Bill.

If they decide to support the legislation again, it will move to the House of Lords.

The strength of the “no” vote in the Commons earlier this year surprised many inside Westminster and it could embolden the Lords to vote against the Bill.

In February David Burrowes, who led opposition to the Bill, said: “We succeeded in one objective – sending a message very clearly and loudly to the Lords.”

Shelve

A month before the vote in the Commons, a survey showed strong support among Peers in the House of Lords for shelving the same-sex marriage plans.

Almost six out of ten members of the Lords said the Coalition should postpone legalising same-sex marriage until it becomes clearer whether the majority of the public are in favour.

Coalition for Marriage campaign director Colin Hart commented at the time: “Mr Cameron should realise that trying to ram through this policy in a desperate bid to appear trendy and progressive is not fooling anyone.”

Meddle

He added: “Ordinary people want him to stop meddling with the institution of marriage and get on with fixing Britain’s flatlining economy.

“If Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg believe this policy is both the right thing to do and popular why do they not trust the British people and let them have a referendum?” he said.