Tory MP Craig Whittaker continues to argue that letting gays marry could lead to three-ways or polygamy
Consecrative MP for Caulder Valley, Craig Whittaker says he worries that changing the law to allow gay couples to marry could lead to legalisation recognising three-way relationships or polygamy.
Mr Whittaker, who had made similar claims on his blog has now told the Hallifax Courier that he would not be supporting the Prime Minister David Cameron’s plans to introduce equal civil marriage in England and Wales not for religious reasons, but for the unintended consequences of redefining marriage.
“If one looks back over time to only 45 years ago in England and Wales, 32 years ago in Scotland and 30 years ago in Northern Ireland when homosexuality was decriminalised, could politicians of the day ever imagine that their successors would be looking at changing the law and re-defining marriage at some point in the future?
“I doubt that very much and feel that they changed the law on grounds of what we would call today ‘equality’. Legal equality, taken forward and rightfully strengthened in many avenues over those years culminating in legal civil partnerships.
“My overriding concern is that if we do indeed as a Parliament change legislation to allow same sex marriage now, then what will our successors be discussing and have to legislate for in the future?; Polygamy?; Three-way relationships?; Who knows what else?
“Marriage has a unique place in our society. It is a bedrock institution and the most stable environment for raising children. Redefining marriage would make marriage adult-centred rather than child-centred.”
He said that civil partnerships were enough for gay couples: “It’s not discriminatory to support traditional marriage. Same-sex couples may choose to have a civil partnership but I feel that no-one has the right to redefine marriage for the rest of society.”
Mr Cameron recently said: “I ask myself the question, ‘why is it that we deny gay couples the ability to get married?’ And, I don’t think that’s right.
“Obviously this is a controversial issue. I feel the time for change has come. If you ask, particularly young people, they say this feels like a very natural change to make … We are not changing what happens in church.”
While Tim Loughton, the Conservative minister for children and families wrote to a constituent: “For me, marriage as a religious institution cannot be anything other than between a man and a woman, and particularly when all the rights and responsibilities of marriage are available to non-heterosexual couples through civil partnerships.”
The Out4Marriage.org campaign, is asking members of the public, politicians and celebrities to “come Out4Marriage.” It this week featured videos from among others, top British girl band, The Saturdays.
