David Cameron called ‘marriage wrecker’ and warned of ‘long battle’ over equal marriage in House of Lords
Equal marriage opponents have called David Cameron a “marriage wrecker”, over equal marriage, and warned that a bill to legalise it will face a “long, protracted battle”, in the House of Lords.
MPs voted 366 to 161 overwhelmingly in favour of passing the bill, giving it a majority of 205. It will now travel to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, debate and voting.
Colin Hart, campaign director of the Coalition for Marriage accused Mr Cameron of being a “marriage wrecker”, and said: “If he thinks he got a rough ride in the Commons, just wait for the Lords. It will be a long, protracted battle which will only remind the voters that the Government isn’t listening.”
Of the peers, 65 have already signed up to speak on the bill, when it goes to the House of Lords on 3 June. Many more are also expected to sign up to speak on the it.
Some have warned of a possible attempt at an ambush on the bill, given that the debate is likely to go on into the early hours.
Former Conservative Party chairman Lord Norman Tebbit, who launched a foul-mouthed attack on David Cameron, claiming the prime minister had “fucked things up” over the bill, is among those who have signed up to speak.
The Prime Minister accepted that his party was divided on the issue but said: “On the gay marriage issue, this is an issue clearly that divides the country. It certainly divides the Conservative Party.
“But I think it is right for Britain, like other countries, to take on this issue and to determine the right approach and that’s exactly what I’ve done and I’m proud of the fact that this legislation has now passed the House of Commons. That’s a good thing.
