Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson challenges DUP’s gay marriage opposition
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has challenged the Democratic Unionist Party over its opposition to same-sex marriage.
The Conservative Party failed to get an overall majority in this month’s General Election, and has since made a deal with the DUP to govern.
But Ms Davidson has now publicly challenged the DUP to drop its opposition to same-sex marriage.
She wrote in the Times: “Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where equal marriage is still prohibited. I’ve campaigned passionately for this to change.
“I’ve raised the issues with Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP, and have sought and received assurances from the prime minister that the Conservative Party will use our influence to press for marriage equality.”
“I am a practising Christian,” she added. “I am a protestant. I am a unionist. I am Scottish and British. I am also engaged to a Catholic Irishwoman from County Wexford, who was educated by nuns.”
Ms Davidson’s plans to marry her partner were delayed this year after she was hit with a £10,000 vet bill when her dog was hit by a car.
She announced her engagement to Jen Wilson on Twitter last May, having popped the question while on holiday in Paris.
She was congratulated by the then Prime Minister David Cameron, whose government introduced gay marriage legislation.
Davidson attracted headlines during last year’s Conservative leadership contest when she refused to criticise Andrea Leadsom – Theresa May’s main opponent – who had called gay marriage “harmful”.
She even invited Leadsom, who went on to lose to Theresa May, to her wedding.
Davidson also revealed last year that she dreams of following in the steps of former Labour MP Ed Balls – and compete on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
“I want a bit of that action,” she said of Ed Balls’ appearance on the show.
