Tory local chairwoman from PM’s constituency resigns over his support for equal marriage
The chairwoman of a local Conservative Party association which falls inside David Cameron’s constituency, has resigned from her post, citing his support for equal marriage as her reason.
Cicely Maunder, 64, and a former mayor, quit as local chair of Chipping Norton. The town falls within the Prime Minister’s Oxfordshire constituency of Witney.
Reports also suggested that around half of her executive committee also quit, in support of her decision, reports the Mirror.
She said: “I left after 34 years because of David Cameron’s support for gay marriage. I have no choice but to feel strongly about it as a Christian believer.
“Other members walked out too. I’ve had a lot of support.
“This wasn’t in the manifesto or the Queen’s Speech. It literally popped up from nowhere. I’ve no idea why he decided to back it.
“I renewed my party subscription a week before I resigned and received my membership card but I’ve now binned it.
“I’m a lifelong Conservative like my family before me. I’ve served the party half my life. I’ll be a non-voter now. It’s very sad.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Mr Cameron about it but maybe I’ll see him shopping.”
She went on to say: “The Oxford Dictionary defines marriage as the joining together of a man and a woman. It’s the same in the Bible.
“I’m not anti-gay people at all. I fully agree with civil partnership rights. But most gay people will tell you that’s all they wanted and they don’t want gay marriage.”
Earlier in February, MPs voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill by 400 to 175, a majority of 225, however 140 Tory members voted against the bill.
Several other local chairs have quit, citing the PM’s support of equal marriage as their reason. Matty Donnely, who was town councillor for Hexham, Northumberland, resigned earlier this month, as did Edmund Costelloe, now the former chairman of Somerton and Frome.
