Comments on: Peter Mandelson and Gordon Brown's gay feud- Lord Levy's book claims

By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:23:00 +0000

Gosh another poster posting as Luke. Perhaps the site owners could consider TypeKey registration so all posters are unique.I'm the one who always has the run ins with Bolshie Bill by the way.

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By: Sister Mary Clarence

Sister Mary Clarence — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:23:00 +0000

David, I have to say I have to agree more with Luke. The architects of Section 28 are long gone and the party has done much to demonstrate that it has turned over a new leaf. Whilst I understand the reluctance that some people have to trust the Conservatives, Labour are happily running the country into the ground knowing that the gay community will be their last bastion of its support because of something that happened many years ago.The leadership of the party has changes and so have the policies – the Conservatives are doing everything they can to remain squeaky clean to show that they have changed. The number of people booted out of the party in the last couple of years is huge. On the other hand, taking Miranda Grell for example – after having been convicted of making false accusations against a gay councillor of paedophilia and then losing her Labour Party funded appeal, she was allowed to resign and slip away quietly rather than have her homophobic little arse drop kicked off the white cliffs of Dover.Whilst the Conservative Party invented Section 28, there were Labour MPs who supported it and Labour MPs who voted against it repeal too. You can check voting records on line and there are an awful lot of Labour MPs who miss an awful lot of equality votes that would benefit the gay community. By the same token you can also see that the voting record of a lot of Tory MPs has changed in the last two years in line with Cameron’s inclusive approach.Labour and Ken having given the gay community all they have to give and they seem to have lost their morality and honesty somewhere along the way.

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By: David S

David S — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Luke, I cannot "get over" the introduction of section 28. When I go to the voting booth with ballot paper in hand, I have to decide who will best protect my (our) interests. To me, it is a matter of trust, and I'm sorry to say that I simply just don't trust the Conservatives. Honestly, I really don't! That may change in the future, but for the moment I wouldn't vote Conservative for that very reason and that reason alone. Sorry, but that's how I feel.In order for them to get my vote, they need to get rid of some of the spiteful old gits like Tebbit and actually make a clear statement that they are committed to equality, and committed to create a secular government that acts in the interests of all citizens. Until I hear that, then I'm unlikely to trust them. They need to try harder.

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By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:24:00 +0000

I think it is time for the gay community to finally move on and to stop going on about the past, you sound like labour going on about the mess they have caused who then blame it on the Tories although they have been in power for over 11 years, back to the present… I have had enough of this incompetent government, yes they have do us proud on gay equality legislation and the Conservatives are following and have made major advances, this is enough for me to vote for the Conservatives at the local elections and when ever the general election may be. Get over the issue of section 28, no one was ever prosecuted over it however, I understand it did send out the wrong messages but it is long gone in the gutter. There are more meaningful issues now such as homophobic bullying, crime, etc., I believe the Conservatives and their tough stance on crime will help to combat this!

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By: David S

David S — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:23:00 +0000

I too am repulsed by Labour, because it simply no longer is driven by a common set of values that are clearly understood. I dislike the authoritarian and nannying instincts of this government, and the contempt and distrust they have for ordinary citizens in making decisions and formulating policy. The gay rights advances of the last ten years has been due, in large part, to professional lobbying by groups such as Stonewall and changes in social attitudes, and would have happened under any government, whatever its political shade or colour. Also, the declining influence of religion, and globalisation, have had their hands in moving matters forward.Yet, I still cannot bring myself to vote Conservative; I've never forgiven them for clause 28.

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By: wil thompson

wil thompson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:10:00 +0000

I am repulsed by Labour. They shout from the rooftops about what they have done for gay rights. Meanwhile, the poor are taxed more, the rich get richer, we have are soon to have months of dentention without trial and the economy is in a very precarious state. I know the Tories don't have a good history with us but I'm switching allegiance from now on. Like the moderates changed Labour in the 90's, I believe in changing the Tories by working with them. Our struggle for equality has been hijacked by the Left.

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By: Roberto

Roberto — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:51:00 +0000

Remmeber also that it was a Tory government, and not Labour, that was first to reduce the Gay age of consent to 18 under John Major.I don't trust this Brown led government and as a person who will lose out under the 10% tax change – being 55 and early retired – I beleieve Brown and has Scots cronies on the Front Bench need a "good kicking" in the elections!

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By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:32:00 +0000

Well, as far as I recall, Cameron voted against gay adoption, but Brown abstained on most votes in favour of gay equality. On the whole, there is no doubt that the gay movement has made huge advances under the Blair-lead Labour party, such that the Tories have been bound to follow – one reason they elected Cameron, I guess. Of course, these issues are never black and white: on the face of it it seems inexplicable that both Tony Cherie are Catholics, and yet have been so proactive in promoting gay equality….

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By: anon

anon — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:20:00 +0000

…David Cameron is more gay-friendly and Alan Duncan will have a front rank job in a Cameron cabinet!what a joke!!!!!I suggest anyone reading this should google the voting records of the tory party, up to the present day. They have nearly always voted against any movement forword in the gay sector. My local tory counciller told me to my face he didnt agree with my lifestyle. ( Grrrrr hate that term)Telling the press and anyone else whose ready to hear, esp. leading up to an election that you a gay friendly, is easy. But remeber leopards dont change their spots.

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By: Gendy

Gendy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:48:00 +0000

Now do you believe me? What I have said over and over here is that Brown is quite viciously homophobic – we will see no further progess in gay rights in Britan while Gordon Brown is PM…David Cameron is more gay-friendly and Alan Duncan will have a front rank job in a Cameron cabinet!You know how to vote on May 1st,guys.

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By: Liam

Liam — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:05:00 +0000

You've only got half the picture. I wouldn't want anyone spreading rumours that I was straight, so why should Gordon want people to think he was living a lie. I am old enough to remember Sue Lawley on Desert Island Discs repeatedly trying to get Gordon Brown to deny he was gay and he refused to do so simply because he said it wasn't anyone else's business. He could have easily done so but has the nous to realise that this would make him embarrassed about gayness, which he clearly isn't.

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By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:37:00 +0000

What I found most revealing about this story is how offensive Brown seems to think it would be if he were thought to be gay….evidently his homophobia is sufficient to get in the way of the interests of both the Labour Party and the country in general, in so far as these might be advanced by Mandelson's promotion….

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By: Robert, ex-pat Brit

Robert, ex-pat Brit — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:27:00 +0000

Roberto, its quite revealing when purported straight people have hissy fits when their sexual orientation comes into question. My take is, a straight person truly comfortable with his or her own orientation wouldn't feel so insecure or react negatively and would ignore it. Obviously they feel threatened in some way. Marrying a member of the opposite sex proves absolutely nothing either, its been the perfect front to masquerade a person's sexual for millenia. Bisexuals are a classic example of that, many of whom are in the closet and who would deny their bisexuality if their backs were up against the wall. In America,several gay and bisexual republican politicians (conservatives) voted against equality legislation, so is it no wonder Brown and his ilk never voted for equality legislation. No political party is untouched by this. Classic!

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By: Roberto

Roberto — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:15:00 +0000

So then does this spat explain why Brown has almost never supported a single pro Gay Bill in Parliament?Mr. Brown, I do think that thou dost protesteth a little too much!

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