A third Government Minister has now criticised the plans to introduce same-sex ‘marriage’, and has suggested that the Government should listen to what people are saying in response to the consultation on the issue.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:
“The Government has got to show over the next couple of years that it is focused on the things that matter to the people in this country.
“There is no legislation in the Queen’s Speech; there’s a consultation going on, and we should look at, listen to what people are saying in response to that consultation.”
His intervention makes him the most senior Tory yet to criticise the Government’s plans.
Tim Loughton
Children and Families Minister Tim Loughton has also criticised the Government’s plans to introduce same-sex marriage, writing to a constituent:
“I do not see why we need to change the law, especially at this time when there are so many other important matters for the Government to be addressing.
“Until now I have not received a single letter from a constituent pressing me to support gay marriage.”
He has also previously said:
“For me, marriage as a religious institution cannot be anything other than between a man and a woman, and particularly when all the rights and responsibilities of marriage are available to non-heterosexual couples through civil partnerships.”
Gerald Howarth
The Minister for International Security Strategy, Gerald Howarth, has also previously objected to the drive to redefine marriage.
Mr Howarth told the BBC that Mr Cameron has ‘no mandate’ for the policy, and indicated that it was amongst the issues that cost the Tories so many votes in the last local elections.
He said: “There are issues, for example, like the proposals for gay marriage. A lot of Conservatives have written to me saying ‘I am a lifelong Conservative, there is no mandate for this, why is this being proceeded with?”
A poll by Com Res revealed that the Conservative Party could lose up to 30 parliamentary seats and over 1.1 million votes if it pushes ahead with its plans to redefine marriage.
Comment
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“There has been vast opposition to the Government’s plans from the public and also from many leaders across the board. There is no democratic mandate to redefine marriage, and to do so is a huge mistake”.
"I would encourage everyone who is concerned with the Government's plans to submit a response to the consultation using the link below and also to sign the petition."
Act Now
Respond to Consultation Here >
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