All the Labour leadership candidates have announced their support for gay marriage over the last couple of months.

 

Ed Miliband:

 

...That is why, as a party, we are listening now on gay marriage. I know that civil partnerships were a major step forward, but I also hear those who want the genuine equality of gay marriage ... "Separate but equal" is not good enough and PinkNews.co.uk’s own recent poll demonstrated the huge support in the LGBT community for a right to marry. The cruel consequence of the current compromise is trans people forced to divorce their partners before they could be legally recognised in their new gender. I want to see heterosexual and same-sex partnerships put on an equal basis and a Labour Party that I lead will campaign to make gay marriage happen.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/08/25/comme...t-for-equality/

 

 

David Miliband:

 

...But it is an anomaly that gay couples – although they can call each other husband or wife – can’t say they are married. Canada and Argentina have shown the way forward.That’s why I support calls to change the definition of marriage to include exclusive relationships between couples, regardless of sex. This will mean gay couples will be able to describe themselves as married.

 

http://www.davidmiliband.net/2010/07/30/my...n-gay-marriage/

 

 

Diane Abbott:

 

I was on the committee which scrutinised civil partnerships, so I had to defeat the Tories, because the Tories tried to amend it in all sorts of ways and water it down. As far as I'm concerned, you might as well move to gay marriage and I think we will in due course.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/08/05/exclu...e-diane-abbott/

 

 

Ed Balls:

 

He had an uncle, the youngest of 7 kids, who eventually came out to the family, after many years, very difficult for him. He was in a long term relationship, but died of cancer a few years ago, before civil partnerships were introduced. (The family is still in touch with his partner). The uncle was a very religious man, a Christian, and Ed says it was really sad that he didn’t get to have a civil partnership but also, why should he have been denied the chance to have a proper marriage too, especially given his religious faith? So it’s something he feels quite strongly about on a personal level.

 

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/07/16/ed...r-gay-marriage/

 

 

Andy Burnham (who incidentally is Catholic):

 

Gay marriage epitomises my approach - complete equality, because civil partnerships can be seen as second-class arrangements. Marriage is a life-long commitment by two people to each other, which is much more important than any judgement about their sexuality. My view is based on a fundamental belief in the equality of each human being, not a judgement about their lifestyle. I know that the Church is fundamentally at odds with gay marriage - and civil partnerships for that matter - but these are not, I would say, at odds with Christian teaching. The Church will have to change on these issues, otherwise it is in danger of pushing away people like me.

 

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/07/19/co...s-gay-marriage/

I don't think any reasonable sound minded person has any objection to gay marriage unless they are a religious bigot but I don't think it is a major priority right now, would rather Labour candidates concentrated on the economy as opposed to trivial issues like this

I am OFFENDED to say I agree with Craig, don't really see the purpose or necessity of this right now.

I don't think any reasonable sound minded person has any objection to gay marriage unless they are a religious bigot but I don't think it is a major priority right now, would rather Labour candidates concentrated on the economy as opposed to trivial issues like this

 

Well, I think gay people might disagree with you that it's not a major issue. But anyway, the candidates aren't actually SAYING it's a major issue - by far the most discussion during the leadership campaign has been about the economy.

 

But anyway, from a cynical point of view, it could be a strategically good move from Labour to start pushing for gay marriage in Parliament. Although Cameron would probably accept it, it would expose some of the backbench dinosaurs.

Well, I think gay people might disagree with you that it's not a major issue. But anyway, the candidates aren't actually SAYING it's a major issue - by far the most discussion during the leadership campaign has been about the economy.

 

But anyway, from a cynical point of view, it could be a strategically good move from Labour to start pushing for gay marriage in Parliament. Although Cameron would probably accept it, it would expose some of the backbench dinosaurs.

You mean neanderthals like this?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11114213

 

But anyway, from a cynical point of view, it could be a strategically good move from Labour to start pushing for gay marriage in Parliament. Although Cameron would probably accept it, it would expose some of the backbench dinosaurs.

 

 

Hmmmm, I wonder how Theresa May would vote on it, considering she voted against an equal age of consent and against repealing Clause 28....

I agree it's not a top priority but I also agree it's worth throwing in just to see how many Tory MPs are still in the dark ages...