Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark has called for MPs of all parties to be given a free vote on same-sex marriage, saying that if the legislation were to be passed it “would have major long-term consequences”.
I actually agree with the bishop here. Our MPs are elected by us - the electorate - to represent our opinions, not party positions.
The three most recent polls would suggest - at least, as a national average - that each and every politician votes for same sex marriage.
A poll conducted by Angus Reid in July 2010 showed that 78% of people supported either same-sex marriage or civil union for gay couples, with 41% opting for same-sex marriage and 37% opting for civil union. The amount of people who supported no legal unions for gay couples decreased by 3% since August 2009.
In July 2011, a representative survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion showed that 43 per cent of Britons believe same-sex couples in the UK should be allowed to legally marry, 34 per cent think same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil partnerships, but not marry, and 15 per cent would grant no legal recognition to same-sex couples.
The most recent, a poll published by YouGov in March 2012, showed that 43% of people supported same-sex marriage whilst 32% supported civil partnerships.
The Archbishop of Southwark, who is chairman of the bishops’ Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship, said: “The Government’s proposal to change the definition of marriage is a profound legal reform. It is very important that Members of Parliament of all parties should be given a free vote on an issue of such major significance.”
Whilst it is admirable that the Lib Dems have such a progressive outlook on this issue, Mr Clegg's insistence that the party line be drawn in the sand is an affront to our democracy.
His intervention emerged after Nick Clegg had said that his Liberal Democrat MPs would be directed to vote in favour of same-sex marriage. The Deputy Prime Minister has said that Lib Dems will “honour what we have said as a party”.
David Cameron, on the other hand, has said he will be giving his MPs a free vote on the legislation.There is not much I find to like about the Conservatives these days, but on this issue Mr Cameron is spot on.
Archbishop Smith added that the matter was an “issue of conscience because fundamental moral questions are at stake about the true meaning of marriage”. He also said that politicians should be “free to express and act on their own principled view”.Ooh! And I was leaning towards saying that not only do I agree with the Conservatives on this one, but a Catholic bishop too.
I applaud his commitment to determination by democracy, but in placing the onus on the conscience of the MP personally, he forgets that it should not be their consciences they need to seek, but those whom each MP represents.
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