Nearly 60 MPs and peers have signed an open letter to the Daily Telegraph opposing the Government’s proposals to introduce same-sex ’marriage’.
The letter accuses the Coalition of “ploughing ahead” with a redefinition of marriage despite “overwhelming” public opposition to the plans.
No mandate
The signatories – who include Labour, Conservative and independent members – warn that the Government has no mandate to introduce the change and that the proposals did not appear in any party’s manifesto at the last election.
The letter marks the start of a new campaign in Parliament to oppose the Government’s “Equal Civil Marriage” Bill announced by Women and Equalities Minister Maria Miller last week.
Signatories include former ministers Sir Gerald Howarth, Tim Loughton, Sir Jim Paice and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton.
“At the last election, none of the three main parties stood on a platform to redefine marriage,” they said.
“It was not contained in any of their manifestos, nor did it feature in the Coalition’s Programme for Government.
“These facts alone should have led to extreme caution on the part of those calling for this change to be made.
“Instead the Government is ignoring the overwhelming public response against the plans.
Ignored
“The consultation has ignored the views of 500,000 British residents in favour of anonymous submissions from anyone anywhere in the world.
“We believe that the Government does not have a mandate to redefine marriage”.
The letter also casts doubt over the effectiveness of the Government’s proposed “quadruple lock” in protecting churches against legal challenges. It also raises wider concerns concerning freedom of religion and conscience:
"We are sceptical that the proposed protections will prevent the erosion of liberties of religion and conscience. The proposed redefinition of marriage is unnecessary, given the legal rights established through civil partnerships”, it said.
“We understand some parliamentarians support freedom for same sex couples to marry, but we support a freedom from the state being able to redefine the meaning of marriage.”
David Burrowes
The Parliamentary campaign is being led by Tory MP and practising Christian David Burrowes, who has even received death threats for his longstanding support of traditional marriage.
Commenting in The Telegraph, he wrote: “Last week the Coalition Government announced the beginning of the end of the traditional meaning of marriage.
“It also marked the beginning of the Parliamentary campaign which I am leading and supported by a coalition of Parliamentarians across the political spectrum.”
It is now thought that 137 Conservative MPs will vote against the Bill, expected to be brought before Parliament in January next year.
Related stories:
Government presses ahead with same-sex ‘marriage’
Senior Conservatives launch campaign to push for same-sex ‘marriage’
Faith Minister concerned over Government’s same-sex ‘marriage’ plans
Peter Tatchell says protections for churches “open to legal challenge”
Over 100 Tory MPs oppose a redefinition of marriage
Majority in favour of referendum on same-sex ‘marriage’
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