Tory minister Therese Coffey wants you to know she’s still firmly against same-sex marriage
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey
Work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey has said she stands by voting against same-sex marriage.
The cabinet minister was asked about her record on Sky News on Wednesday morning (2 September) after it was announced that boxer Nicola Adams is to make Strictly Come Dancing history by performing with a female partner.
Therese Coffey: ‘It will be interesting to see who leads.’
Speaking to Kay Burley, Coffey said: “I think it’s a new adventure to the BBC. They’re used to breaking new ground on the dance floor. It will be interesting to see who leads and who doesn’t.”
“I’ll be interested to see who takes the lead.” 💃🕺
Self-confessed strictly fan @theresecoffey has her say on the first same-sex couple being added to this year's line up, and who she's likely to be voting for. JM#KayBurley pic.twitter.com/wQyW5wNs2I
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) September 2, 2020
Asked about her opposition to same-sex marriage, Coffey replied: “I took the view at the time, and I still hold to that, I have a strong faith background about what is a legal partnership and what is marriage, but that is not a question for today.
“I believe in live and let live, and I’ll be interested to see… I’ve got the feeling Nicola Adams may well take the lead.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey
Coffey voted against allowing same sex couples to marry in 2013, and was one of only 72 MPs who voted against extending same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland last year.
Strictly Come Dancing to break boundaries with same-sex dance pairing
Adams, a bisexual double Olympic gold medallist boxer, was revealed on Wednesday to be part of Strictly’s first every same-sex pairing.
She said “I’m really excited to be joining this year’s incredible line-up for Strictly Come Dancing. I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts.
“People might know me from work in the ring, but I’ll be every bit as passionate and dedicated on the dance-floor too.
“I also wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first ever all female-pairing; and it’s amazing to be a part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry.”
The move comes some time after similar shifts to include same-sex couples on overseas editions of the Strictly, while Dancing on Ice even featured a same-sex dance couple last year.
