Medway MPs divided on gay marriage
Medway's MPs are divided on the
issue of gay marriage, with hours to go before a vote in
Parliament.
The bill allowing same-sex couples
to marry will be voted on in the House of Commons today but a
revolt by back-bench Conservatives is likely.
They are allowed a free vote on the
issue, but key government figures including the home secretary,
Teresa May, have written to the party faithful urging them to
support the bill.
Rochester and Strood MP Mark
Reckless (left) has still not revealed how he will vote.
He said today: "You will see the
vote and I'm not keen to do media or anticipate it before it takes
place. My vote will be a matter of public record once it is
cast."
Chatham MP Tracey Crouch has said
she is in favour.
She said previously: “I am in
favour of same-sex marriage but have always said services should
not be forced on the church. As it stands this is the case, so I
will be voting for the Bill.”
Rehman Chishti is against same-sex
marriage.
The Gillingham and Rianham MP
(pictured right) said previously: "I do not support any
redefinition of marriage, which is based on my own principles and
is in accordance with all faiths.
"People in gay and lesbian
relationships can enter into a civil partnership with the same
rights, and I fully support that.”
The bill, if passed today, will
allow religious ceremonies for gay couples but will not force any
religious groups to lead services against their will.
Labour councillors in Medway wrote
an open letter to the Towns' MPs yesterday, urging them to reject
what they claimed was a "widespread misunderstanding and lack of
awareness amongst elected Conservative representatives."
05/02/13
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