Following yesterday’s vote in Parliament on gay marriage, this in from Andrew Turner’s office. In their own words. Ed
The Island’s MP Andrew Turner has commented on the Same Sex Marriage Vote which was held yesterday evening in the Commons. The Bill received 400 votes in support and 175 against – a number of MPs abstained and some registered a ‘positive abstention’ by voting in both the Yes and the No lobbies. Mr Turner voted against the Bill.
Commenting this morning he said: “Last night’s debate was largely conducted in a measured and respectful way – the House of Commons is often at its best when it is most thoughtful. I was particularly struck by something said by Sir Tony Baldry during the debate :
“I am confident that we are all created in the image of God, whether we be straight, gay, bisexual, or transsexual. We are all equally worthy in God’s sight and equally loved by God. I am also sure that we are and should be equally welcome at God’s table. But equalness does not always equate with being the same.”
“I fully endorse those sentiments and I hope many others can do so. This is an emotive and divisive issue with feelings running high on all sides – but I hope that debate on the Island and elsewhere can be conducted with respect for other people’s points of view. Both sides claim a majority who support them – they cannot both be right!”
Lack of a democratic mandate
“I remain concerned about the lack of a democratic mandate for this proposal – not a single MP in the House of Commons was elected on a promise to bring this measure in.
“Gay Marriage would bring about a fundamental change to our society – on that I hope all sides can agree. The debate yesterday was subject to a parliamentary device called a programme motion – which greatly restricts the time it can be debated. This Bill will now move through its various stages then move to the House of Lords where debate cannot be cut short in such a way and the details of the Bill and its ramifications and can be more thoroughly debated.”
Image: © IslandMP
