Lib Dem Deputy Leader Simon Hughes: ‘Marriage should be between one man and one woman’
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes, has said during the debate around the Marriage (same sex couples) Bill today, that he believes marriage should be “between one man and one woman”.
The openly bisexual MP said he thought that marriage was “gender complimentary”, and that it should be between straight couples only.
“I believe that marriage is ordained by God. I believe it is traditionally ordained by God as between one man and one woman”.
He went on to say that marriage should be for “the creation of children,” and that he had taken a “traditional”, and “Christian”, view on marriage.
MPs voted 340 to 150 to reject the amendment. Mr Hughes voted for the amendment.
Yesterday, speaking during the debate, Mr Hughes said: “I have three relevant interests. First, I have struggled with the issue of sexuality since I was a teenager, like my hon. Friend Stephen Williams. I remember that at school it was not an easy issue in the slightest.
“Everybody knew that there were gay people at school, but it was never taught or spoken about formally. Secondly, I am chair of the board of governors of a Church of England primary school. Thirdly, I am a trustee of a Church of England secondary school. We have excellent teachers who do their jobs very well, but I have to say that there is still some nervousness.”
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is to receive a third and final Commons reading throughout this afternoon and evening.
