Current Affairs

David Cameron denies policy regret claims over equal marriage

Sep 30 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Prime Minister David Cameron has denied claims that he doubted his decision to strongly back equal marriage legislation for England and Wales, despite opposition from within his own party.

British Journalist Matthew d’Ancona, in his new book ‘In It Together,’ claimed that although Cameron remained firmly in support of same-sex marriages throughout, resistances from Tory party members almost made him doubt whether it was worth the cost.

Speaking on BBC One’s Andrew Marr show yesterday, Mr Cameron said: “I don’t regret it. Britain is a more equal and fairer country for having done it.

“It’s certainly true to say that this is an important change. I don’t think I expected quite the furore that there was.

“It’s clearly been very difficult for some people to take on, and I completely understand and respect that.

“I’m not sure perhaps at the beginning we got across to people that this was about marriages that could take place in register offices, that this was not going to change what happened in church, mosques or synagogues.”

He continued: “I am passionate about marriage. I think it’s a great institution, and I think it should be available to people who are gay as well as those of us who aren’t.”

Throughout the passage of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, which received royal assent in July, support from the Tory party has always been ambiguous, despite a strong backing from its leader David Cameron.

In the Commons, for instance, no fewer than 136 Tories opposed the act, outweighing the 127 members who voted in its favour.

Such support comes also through in Cameron’s exclusive writing for PinkNews.co.uk as well, where in July he wrote: “Making marriage available to everyone says so much about the society that we are and the society that we want to live in – one which respects individuals regardless of their sexuality.

He added: “I have backed this reform because I believe in commitment, responsibility and family. I don’t want to see people’s love divided by law.”

In June he also wrote: “I think marriage is a wonderful institution; it helps people to commit to each other and it should be available to gay people and lesbians. I am proud of the work this government has done and is doing to allow gay and lesbian couples to have their love for each other recognised in this way.”