House of Commons Debates Same-Sex Marriage

[Afalia]

So following on from the French assembly voting for same sex marriage a little while ago, the House of Commons, in the UK, is debating the issue at this moment. They vote at seven o'clock GMT. Whilst the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is only at its second reading and has to go through the amendment stages and its final third reading, tonight will be the key vote on the matter.

It legalises civil same sex marriages and religious ones, as long as the religious institution has consented to it.

The majority of Conservatives, plus almost all Lib-Dems and Labour are expected to vote for it. Whilst all the senior ministers and vast majority of backbench Tories are in favour, there could be up to 100, maybe even more, Tory rebels tonight, plus 50 abstainers, so a thin majority it is.

Personally I think it's excellent news, a great step forward for my country and a great achievement when it finally comes through. I also don't buy all the backbenchers saying it will ruin Tory electoral chances in 2015 or whenever the next general election takes place-that's rubbish. The vast, vast majority of Britons support same sex marriage, or at least have no problem with it.

Good news or bad news NS?

[Divair]

Seven o'clock GMT? I'll be watching the news.

[Tagmatium]

Eh, I'm for it.

I'm also in favour of anything that weakens the Tories.

[Delvoir]

It's about time we get around to it.

[Tsuntion]

Watch the debates live here on the BBC, or read this page by the Guardian if you have less bandwidth/patience for stupid arguments against gay marriage (such as "it'll make things unequal").

I certainly hope it passes. From what I hear, it should get through the House of Commons tonight.

[Jamie Anumia]

I hope it passes. I'm pretty sure it will. It's just the Lords I'm concerned about.

[Divair]

Watch the debates live here on the BBC, or read this page by the Guardian if you have less bandwidth/patience for stupid arguments against gay marriage (such as "it'll make things unequal").

I certainly hope it passes. From what I hear, it should get through the House of Commons tonight.

Wow, I've never watched the UK Parliament debate before. It's so calm and gentlemanly.

[Afalia]

A Catholic Conservative MP just stood up, after he was allowed to give way. He said he originally came to the chamber to abstain in the bill, now he has heard the debate over the course of the day he will vote for the bill. This is good news, we need more people like him.

[Ostroeuropa]

It will pass.
The labour party will HAVE to support it or they might actually lose the next election. It'd also be the straw that broke a lot of camels backs.

Around half the tory party is the Libertarian strain (or they are pretending to be.) and so have to support it.
The only people opposing are creepy statists and clerical fascists, thankfully a minority in both parties.

Whether or not they WANT it passed is another matter. They know the people won't stand for it not passing.

[Afalia]

Wow, I've never watched the UK Parliament debate before. It's so calm and gentlemanly.

Just watch PMQs and you'll find it quite different.

[Oneracon]

I'm fairly confident it will pass, and I offer a pre-emptive congratulation to the UK for joining the marriage equality club.

[Souseiseki]

what's the debate? the majority supports it and the only people that care are old tory cunts trying to fuck up their own party over their own inability to get over the fact that penises sometimes go in bums, and not even girly bums. and the lords. pave the foundations of a superior society over their tears. i am so sick of the non-arguments over this issue.

Wow, I've never watched the UK Parliament debate before. It's so calm and gentlemanly.

Just watch PMQs and you'll find it quite different.

yeah this they act like fratboys and manchildren.

[Divair]

Wow, I've never watched the UK Parliament debate before. It's so calm and gentlemanly.

Just watch PMQs and you'll find it quite different.

Maybe it's the huge difference between the Knesset and UK Parliament

[Great Nepal]

I dont get why people and media are calling "rebels", when it is free vote. No, they are not rebels, they are voting as allowed by party line.
Either way, it is good move for equality.

[UNIverseVERSE]

Wow, I've never watched the UK Parliament debate before. It's so calm and gentlemanly.

You need the translation book.

For example: "With all due respect, the Rt Hon Minister's opinion has a few small flaws" means "the Minister is a grade A moron talking out of his ass".

[San Leggera]

Hopefully it'll pass.

[Afalia]

I dont get why people and media are calling "rebels", when it is free vote. No, they are not rebels, they are voting as allowed by party line.
Either way, it is good move for equality.

True, but Cameron and his whips have definitely been on the phones pushing people in the right direction.

[Ostroeuropa]

Is it also a secret vote or not?

[Great Nepal]

I dont get why people and media are calling "rebels", when it is free vote. No, they are not rebels, they are voting as allowed by party line.
Either way, it is good move for equality.

True, but Cameron and his whips have definitely been on the phones pushing people in the right direction.

Yes, however they have not issued a official whip therefore no one can be diverging from official whip, rebellion is not possible.

[Afalia]

Is it also a secret vote or not?

No. You know how your MP votes.

[Afalia]

Yes, however they have not issued a official whip therefore no one can be diverging from official whip, rebellion is not possible.

I think it's rebellion in spirit rather than reality.

[Ostroeuropa]

True, but Cameron and his whips have definitely been on the phones pushing people in the right direction.

Yes, however they have not issued a official whip therefore no one can be diverging from official whip, rebellion is not possible.

It's also suicidal politically.
You can bet no MP who votes against this legislation is going to be placed near any cameras by their party if they can help it.

[Divair]

A conservative is mentioning atheists and how minorities should be protected from religious law. UK, why are you so damn ahead of us?

[Oneracon]

Is it also a secret vote or not?

No. You know how your MP votes.

We did that in Canada too, you can find a list of every MP's vote on the Civil Marriage Act

[Czechanada]

What? And destroy the legacy of Monty Python?