Gloria De Piero: ‘It is strange that Nicky Morgan won’t implement same-sex marriage’
Labour’s shadow minister for equalities Gloria De Piero, has commented on the appointment of Nicky Morgan as the minister for women and equalities in today’s reshuffle, to say it is “pretty strange” that she is not responsible for implementing same-sex marriage.
On Tuesday, David Cameron appointed Nicky Morgan as the new Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities.
She is now responsible for schools and the government’s overall strategy on equality. The MP voted against same-sex marriage last year.
Junior Conservative minister Nick Boles was instead given specific responsibilities for same-sex marriage and LGBT equality. The former Planning minister will take up a joint-departmental position in Business and Education.
Gloria De Piero, MP for Ashfield, told PinkNews: “It’s pretty strange that Nicky Morgan won’t be responsible for implementing same sex marriage legislation. Many lesbian and gay couples will be wondering whether they have a champion in the new Equalities Minister.”
Downing Street has defended the appointment of Mrs Morgan, saying as she is also the Education Secretary, she will be responsible for tackling issues such as homophobic bullying in schools.
Many have questioned her appointment, however, as Mrs Morgan, elected to Parliament in 2010, voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act at second and third reading last year, stating that “marriage is between a man and a woman.”
