Log In | Register
A prominent Conservative has broken ranks with his allies on the "religious right" by declaring his support for the Government's controversial plans to legalise gay marriage.
In an interview with The Independent, Tim Montgomerie dismissed criticism that extending equal rights to gays and lesbians would weaken marriage. He said Tories and church leaders should support gay marriage because it would save the institution, not destroy it. "Marriage is probably the most important Conservative institution and excluding people from it is therefore excluding people from Conservativism to a significant extent," he said.
Prominent Tory disowns 'religious right' and supports gay marriage
Seeded on Mon Feb 6, 2012 3:53 PM EST
Article Source: Independent.co.uk- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (1)
Mr Montgomerie, the editor of the ConservativeHome website for Tory activists, criticised Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, who last week warned David Cameron he would be acting like a "dictator" if he allowed same-sex couples to wed. "He is a very good man and I respect him," Mr Montgomerie said. "But on issues like this people have a responsibility to use language carefully."
Mr Montgomerie's move is significant because in 1990 he founded the influential Conservative Christian Fellowship (CCF) with David Burrowes, a Tory MP who now leads the campaign against gay marriage. He admitted that many friends and natural allies in the organisation were "upset, very perplexed" and felt "real disappointment" at his decision. He will not resign from CCF. When he told Mr Burrowes about his view, they had a "friendly discussion" but "we did not persuade each other of our position".
- 1 vote
#1 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 3:53 PM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
