Marriage
The picture shows a full House of Commons chamber [photo by PA]

This page deals with a controversial issue: redefinition of marriage. I responded to the Government consultation questionnaire in July 2012. I wrote an essay setting out my opinion on 6 January 2013. Both of those documents appear below, followed by a postscript written on 20 January, a copy of the Government's Impact Statement, and a record of the way in which MPs voted on the motion put at the end of the Second Reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Under the heading Theology, I reproduce items taken from a recording made during a lecture and discussion in Winchester concerning the theology of gay marriage. I have to apologise for the indifferent quality of sound reproduction and editing; nevertheless, I hope what was said can be heard sufficiently clearly to be understood

In the next section, some general remarks: my own ideas, the Government's impact statement and the voting record on the second reading in the Commons

Then come seven MP statements — from MPs who made substantial responses to emails I sent: In January I had emailed 647 MPs inviting them to read my essay before the second reading debate in the House of Commons held on 5 February 2013. By 28 February, I had received 33 replies from MPs, as follows ....

Fourteen MPs for stability, then six MPs undecided (at least before the debate took place). Next, seven responses from MPs for change. After those, correspondence from six MPs interested who did not disclose their voting intention before the vote on the second reading

In the vote at the end of the debate, of the 33 MPs whose replies appear below, eight voted AYE, for redefining marriage; 22 voted NO, for maintaining the status quo; the remaining three abstained

Introduction The invitation to a lecture and debate on the theology of gay marriage, followed by an outline of the issues considered
Theology Early ideas Part one of Adrian Thatcher's lecture, dealing with early biblical ideas of sex and marriage
Christian developments Part two of Adrian Thatcher's lecture, examining marriage from eight perspectives generated during the Christian era
Discussion Questions and answers following the lecture
Consultation My response to the Government's consultation questionnaire in the summer of 2012
General remarks An essay My essay entitled Gay Marriage, first published on 6 January 2013, as the groundswell of opinion (expressed especially by younger people) began to gather support in the country whilst the issue seemed largely ignored by people apparently indifferent to it. For in my view we are sleepwalking into a change we shall regret. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Postscript My thoughts, having read all the submissions from MPs and considered other views put forward in the media
Impact The UK government's impact Statement dated 17 January 2013, which includes some powerful arguments (I have now come to believe) for supporting equal marriage
Voting record The Second Reading was held on 5 February 2013. Here is the record of MPs votes: the 400 AYES in favour of redefinition and the 175 NOES voting against the Government
On to the Lords The Bill approved by third reading in the House of Commons on 21 May 2013, ready for consideration in the House of Lords
Explanation Explanatory notes to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill
Sir Tony Baldry The speech in the House of Commons on 5 February by The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry) MP, as set out in Hansard, which he very kindly sent to me after the debate. Sir Tony expresses the views of the Church of England, which opposes redefinition
Steve Baker The views of Steve Baker MP set out in a statement on 20 March 2012 on the Conservative Home website, around the time the idea of redefining marriage by act of parliament first surfaced publicly. Steve opposes redefinition
MP statements Nicola Blackwood The views of Nicola Blackwood MP come from an email she very kindly sent me after the second reading debate. Nicola Blackwood had been undecided, and after hearing the debate decided to abstain on both the vote on the Programme Motion and on the Bill itself
David Burrowes The views of David Burrowes MP in an early statement, undated. David Burrowes opposes redefinition
Liam Fox A letter to his constituents by Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox, former Shadow Secretary of State for Health, reproduced in The Daily Telegraph. Liam Fox opposes redefinition
Sir Roger Gale The views of Sir Roger Gale MP as expressed to the world at large, in a statement issued on 21 march 2012, the day after the statement from from Steve Baker. Sir Roger opposes redefinition
Charles Kennedy The views of the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP taken from an email sent to me after the debate. Charles Kennedy abstained in the vote but wishes the issue to have scrutiny and support
Peter Aldous Peter Aldous MP recognises that same sex marriage is an issue on which people have different opinions. He supported the 2005 legislation, but opposes redefinition so on 5 February intends to vote for the status quo
Sir Tony Baldry Sir Tony Baldry wrote to me after the debate, in which he spoke eloquently yet courteously to oppose redefinition. Sir Tony's clearly argued speech to the House is reproduced higher up on this page
Steve Baker Steve Baker MP opposes redefinition on the basis of liberty under the law, as he explains in this email to me. His fuller statement is reproduced higher up on this page
Fiona Bruce Fiona Bruce MP opposes redefinition and will be voting against a change in the law relating to marriage
MPs for stability David Burrowes David Burrowes MP leads the opposition to redefinition in Parliament. He says he has read my essay and may use some of its ideas in his preparation for the debate on the Bill. He refers to the page on his own website where his views are put more fully. That statement is reproduced by permission higher up on this page
Philip Davies Philip Davies MP opposes redefinition. This is his brief email to me
Liam Fox The Rt Hon Liam Fox MP opposes redefinition. His letter to constituents is reproduced above, by permission. Here is the covering email, sent to me by Mrs Ione Douglas in his parliamentary offices
Sir Roger Gale Sir Roger Gale MP opposes redefinition, as he says clearly in this email. Sir Roger refers to an article he has written. That article is reproduced above
Edward Garnier Edward Garnier MP opposes redefinition, as his email to me confirms
John Glen John Glen MP opposes redefinition. In his email to me says he has read my essay and agrees with my sentiments
Sir Gerald Howarth Sir Gerald Howarth MP opposes redefinition. In this email he say firmly that he will be speaking in the debate and then voting against what he regards as an absurd proposal
Priti Patel Priti Patel MP supports the status quo. He took the trouble to write to me care of Royal Mail, and his letter that is reproduced here
Craig Whittaker Craig Whittaker MP opposes redefinition. He also wrote to me care of Royal Mail, and it is his letter that is reproduced here
Sammy Wilson Sammy Wilson MP opposes redefinition. His strong views are put neatly and concisely in a pair of emails sent to me by his office manager Mrs Janet Barron
James Arbuthnot James was waiting to hear final arguments presented in the eventual House of Commons debate; in the event he voted to maintain the status quo
MPs undecided Alan Beith Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP had made clear throughout that he would vote on any legislation based on the merits of the Bill. He believes that the Government's announcement that they intend to legislate to allow some denominations to "opt in" raised a number of new questions about the reliability of the legal protections for churches if legislation went ahead, and he expected to pursue these points when the legislation was brought forward; in the event he voted to maintain the status quo
Nicola Blackwood After the second reading debate, Nicola Blackwood MP abstained on both the bill itself and on the programme motion. Her fuller statement is recorded above.
Charles Kennedy After the second reading debate, the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP abstained on the bill. In his email, reproduced here, he signals acceptance of the idea, but indicates a need for scrutiny. He refers in the email to two attachments; these are two government publication: the Short Guide and the Myth Buster—which appear disingenuous to me. Both these publications open in a new window
Julian Lewis (1) The reply on 18 June 2012 from my own MP, Dr Julian Lewis, to an earlier letter of mine. Julian declared himself at that time open-minded on civil marriage proposals and expected to decide after hearing what was said in the debate. In the event he voted to maintain the status quo
Julian Lewis (2) Dr Julian Lewis responds here to my alerting him to my postscript, above
Elfyn Llwyd The Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd MP recognises how difficult a matter this is, and is listening carefully to the debate. Until the debate he had not reached a settled position but had always taken the notion of equality before the law to be vital both in his legal and also political career; in the event he voted to redefine marriage
Hilary Benn The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP wants to redefine marriage. He responds to my email in which I asked him to read my essay
Nick Clegg The Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP wants to redefine marriage. giving as his reasons that (i) he and his party believe in it; (ii) same-sex couples [should be] entitled to equal respect by the state and should have full equality under the law, (iii) the removal of the current ban on same-sex couples being able to marry would bring about equality, and (iv) couples should be able, under law, to get married irrespective of their gender
Nick Boles Nick Boles MP wants to redefine marriage. His office replied to my email explaining that Nick respects other views but will be supporting the Government
MPs for change Bill Esterson Bill Esterson MP wants to redefine marriage. In this email he takes the view that same sex marriage should be allowed, on the basis that there should be no discrimination on grounds of sexuality. However, in the event he abstained
John McDonnell John McDonnell MP has thought about the issue, recognises the strong views held on both sides of the argument and decided support the bill as he sees the need to support people who love one another whatever their sexuality
Paul Flynn Paul Flynn MP wants to redefine marriage. In his email he says he has read my essay and is unconvinced by it
Dan Rogerson Dan Rogerson MP wants to redefine marriage. His office replied to my email asking him to read my essay. Dan is in favour of giving same sex couples the right to get married, as his assistant explains
Dave Anderson Dave Anderson's is the shortest email received. It says simply "yes" In the event he voted to redefine marriage
Guto Bebb Guto Bebb says he has read the essay with interest. In the event he voted to maintain the status quo
MPs interested Richard Drax Richard Drax expresses interest in my ideas. In the event he voted to maintain the status quo
Tim Loughton Tim Loughton thanks me and says "interesting". In the event he voted to maintain the status quo
John Randall John Randall says he read my essay and found it interesting. In the event he voted to maintain the status quo
Martin Vickers Martin Vickers emailed after the debate saying he found my essay interesting and balanced. In the event he voted to maintain the status quo
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