Parliament is debating equal marriage todayPinkNews.co.uk will be updating the website throughout the debate for same-sex marriage in the House of Commons
17.47
Conservative councillor Nigel Fletcher has posted this photograph of the same-sex marriage ‘YES’ rally
17.22
Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston: In five years time, we will look back at this debate and wonder what all the fuss was about
15.25
Conservative Craig Whittaker: The Government should introduce ‘state marriage’ not equal marriage
14.55
Margot James: The debate has shown the modernisation of the Conservative party is not yet complete
14.54
Margot James: The Coalition for Marriage have deliberately and consistently misinterpreting the Government’s intentions
14.52
Edward Leigh: “I am a conservative. I do believe that we should be concerned about equality, but not at the expense of every other institution.”
14.40
Ben Bradshaw: I must say, the Church’s credibility in arguing this would be a lot more convincing if they welcomed and celebrated civil partnerships
14.33
Ben Bradshaw: The objections of the church is the residual prejudice against same-sex relationships
14.31
Nick Herbert: “Darling, our marriage is over! Elton John has just got engaged to David Furnish”
14.10
Stephen Gilbert, who proposed the Lib Dem’s policy on same-sex marriage is now speaking in the House
13.42
Sir Menzies Campbell: This House has consistently passed legislation to make society fairer and more equal
13.31
Yvette Cooper just used some of the arguments that PinkNews founder Benjamin Cohen suggested. That he wants to have a similar wedding to his parents and grandparents and why do gay people have to disclose their sexuality on forms by ticking ‘civil partnership’ boxes
13.24
13.21
Yvette Cooper says that some gay couples want to get married. They should be allowed to do so.
People love the idea of weddings, she says. The impact assessment says spending on weddings will rise by £14m. George Osborne needs all the help he can get to boost the economy, she jokes.
13.18
Yvette Cooper praises Maria Miller for her conduct and role in the bringing forward equal marriage
13.09
Margot James: Church of England said that it was unlikely that the Church would be forced to conduct same-sex marriages
13.08
Maria Miller: It is inconceivable that any case would be taken to the European Court of Human Rights. Churches have nothing to worry about.
13.05
Mike Freer MP points out that no church have ever been taken to the European Court of Human Rights in Catholic Spain for not offering same-sex marriages
13.02
Nigel Dodds, the DUP MP, says that the bill is a low political calculation and de-toxifying the Tory brand. Maria Miller says that the measure was included in the Conservative’s Contract for Equalities. (It was also raised by David Cameron to PinkNews in 2010)
13.00
Labour MP Chris Bryant Tweets: Toby Perkins says he’s supporting bill as Jesus was great example of support 4 equality. Not sure Jesus had an equal ops recruitment policy.
12.55
Caroline Lucas criticises the Government for the different stance taken to the Church of England
12.51
Maria Miller justifying why religious institutions should be allowed to conduct same-sex marriages if they wish to.
12.48
Lynne Featherstone, the former Equalities Minister is sitting next to the current Equalities Minister, Helen Grant. It’s thanks to Lynne that it is happening.
Maria Miller, the culture secretary and equalities minister, is opening the debate.
She says all marriages are different. But marriage offers the chance for lifelong loving support. The commitment in same-sex couples is the same as in other couples. That should be acknowledged, she says.
