The House of Lords has approved the Government’s controversial Sexual Orientation Regulations by 168 votes to 122.
We are grateful to God that our case was so clearly put. In the opinion of many observers Lady O’Cathain won the argument hands down, but sadly lost the vote.
This is because Labour and the Liberal Democrat Peers flooded into the chamber having been told by their parties to vote against Lady O’Cathain. The Conservatives allowed their peers to vote according to their conscience.
We are very thankful for the stand which Lady O’Cathain has taken. Thank you also for all those who have written to peers and prayed. It was very important to have done this. It has honoured God and been an obstacle to the secular agenda. It is thanks to the campaign that churches have been given the exceptions that they have. Without the letter writing and prayer these would not have been secured.
During the debate, two prominent supporters of gay rights, Viscount Bledisloe QC, and the Law Lord, Lady Butler-Sloss, said they would be voting against the regulations. Lady Butler-Schloss commented on the poor drafting of the regulations.
There were many excellent speeches made in support of Lady O’Cathain from all sides of the House. Lord Anderson (Lab) spoke very powerfully in support as did the Archbishop of York, The Bishop of Winchester and the Bishop of Southwell.
These Regulations will now become law. At key points they make gay rights to trump religious liberty.
We have no doubt that some will try to use these new laws in an attempt to force Christians to act against their conscience. There will be test cases which will need to be fought in the courts.
However, there are two pieces of good news, for which we thank God. First our Legal Defence Fund currently stands at over £200,000. Over two thousand Christians have contributed to the appeal. This is a terrific response. Second, our judicial review on the Northern Ireland version of the regulations goes ahead as planned in June. This court action may yet have implications for Great Britain. Our Legal Defence Fund is to be used to cover the costs of the judicial review.
In due course The Christian Institute will publish further information about the regulations.
Let us continue to pray that the Lord will protect Gospel freedom in this country. Do pray that the intolerant nature of the regulations would be made widely know.
The fact that even prominent gay rights supporters voted against the regulations means that Christians must have put up a very strong case. We will need to go on doing so. We must continue to campaign to protect religious liberties from the regulations. I trust that we can count on your support as we do so.
Hasty Commons Timetable