Anti-gay Tory MPs call on David Cameron to abandon modernising agenda in video
Several Conservative MPs have called on David Cameron to end his support for progressive policies such as equal marriage.
MPs Peter Bone, Douglas Carswell, John Glen, Anne McIntosh and Bob Stewart belong to Conservative Grassroots, which was set up in the wake of February’s Commons vote of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
MPs present in the video were among 136 Tory MPs that voted against the bill with another 135 choosing not to vote at all.
The video, featuring past and present Tory party activists, was released to coincide with the Conservative Party’s weekend Spring Forum.
“I got involved with Conservative Grassroots because I was so dissatisfied with David Cameron’s management of the party and the extraordinary things that are happening, the same-sex marriage bill is a clear indication of that, and it is something that caused me to resign from office and from the party” former local Tory chairman Ed Costelloe said in the video.
Meanwhile, an ICM survey for the Sunday Telegraph released yesterday shows same-sex marriage, has become a touchstone issue for many Conservatives and one which is blamed for a fall in membership of the party.
Among all voters, in line with other polls, there is support for allowing same-sex unions – with 54% backing the move and 34% opposing it. Floating voters also back the PM on the issue.
However, among Conservative voters who have recently switched to the UK Independence Party 51% oppose same-sex marriage and only 39% support it.
