UK gay marriage bill over House of Lords hurdle
The introduction of gay marriage in Britain has moved a step closer after legislation cleared a major hurdle in the House of Lords.
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was given its second reading after a wrecking amendment was soundly defeated by 390 votes to 148 last night.
The result came after a marathon and impassioned two-day debate involving more than 90 speakers, with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby among those condemning the change.
However, the legislation faces further efforts to derail it as the Upper House begins detailed scrutiny.
MPs have already endorsed the Bill despite opposition from dozens of Tory backbenchers who have refused to follow the leade of Prime Minister David Cameron, who supports the bill.
The scale of the vote against independent crossbencher Lord Dear’s amendment last night was hailed by equal rights campaigners.
Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: “We’re absolutely delighted.
“We always expected a tough challenge in the House of Lords, and Lord Dear’s ’fatal motion’ – very rarely used – demonstrates the lengths to which a minority of peers are, sadly, still prepared to go to deny full equality to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
“Britain’s 3.7 million gay people don’t deserve to be second class citizens in their own country. A tough fight lies ahead and we’ll continue to work tirelessly every single day to get equal marriage through the Lords."
