A Conservative candidate who is defending her seat in Devon has labelled campaigners who support true marriage as “bigots” after they posted leaflets on the issue in her constituency.
The Coalition for Marriage (C4M), of which Christian Concern is a founding member, have posted the leaflets in marginal constituencies highlighting MPs who voted both for and against same-sex ‘marriage’ legislation.
Sarah Wollaston is defending a 5,000 majority in Totnes and after seeing the leaflet said she was “proud” of voting for same-sex ‘marriage’.
Leaflet
The leaflet says: “Your MP Sarah Wollaston voted for Same-Sex Marriage. Use your vote for true marriage at the general election on 7 May.”
It goes on to say that she “ignored the views of huge numbers of local people” when she voted this way.
C4M organised a petition in favour of keeping the legal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. 669,444 people signed the petition.
The prospective Conservative MP responded to the leaflet on twitter: “Thanks bigots, I’m proud of that vote!”
‘Valid argument’
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester, said: “I think words like ‘bigot’ are often used to close down discussion on important issues.
“I think what people should do rather is to set out their argument and what the Coalition for Marriage is doing is setting out the argument that marriage between a man and a woman is a vital social institution for the sake of the good of society and the continuation of society.
“This is a perfectly valid argument, if people have something to say against it they should present their argument not close down discussion with words like ‘bigot’.”
Answers
He also argued that MPs should expect to have to answer questions about same-sex ‘marriage’, as it was not in any of the major parties’ manifestos.
“It was never in the manifestos at the last election, it was never in a Queen’s Speech, the consultation that was produced said that the question was not about whether or when but how,” he said.
“So all this means that people have questions to answer and they should answer them.”
Other Conservatives have made positive comments about their decision to support same-sex ‘marriage’. Anna Soubry, the defence minister standing in the marginal seat of Broxtowe, said that voting for it was more important than “winning and selling out."
David Cameron has said that bringing in same-sex ‘marriage’ legislation was one of his greatest achievements as Prime Minister.
‘Out of touch’
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, commented: “Sarah Wollaston’s response to the C4M leaflet goes to show how out of touch she and other Conservative candidates are with many voters.
“Well over half a million people signed the C4M petition to keep marriage as between a man and a woman. Many people are unhappy with this legislation because they recognise the importance of marriage as the basic building block of any flourishing society.
“Calling such voters ‘bigots’ shows a disdain for such people, for which the Conservatives are likely to lose many votes at the general election.”
Related News:
Opponents of same-sex marriage are labelled as bigots, says Lord Carey
Department of Health to investigate new reports of illegal sex-selection abortions
Related Coverage:
MP brands anti-gay marriage campaigners 'bigots' after leaflet attack (Telegraph)