Clegg lashes out at Cameron's gay marriage climb-down

By

Liberal Democrat MPs will be whipped into backing gay marriage unlike their Tory counterparts, Nick Clegg insisted this morning.

In a comment which will be seen as an implicit criticism of the prime minister, Mr Clegg said he did not support David Cameron's decision to allow Tory ministers and MPs a free vote on gay marriage.

"He is leader of his party, I am leader of mine," the deputy prime minister said.

"If this was an issue of the government proposing something that's a matter of religion or the church, of course that would be a matter of conscience. It's not.

"My view is in same way civil partnerships was a whipped vote, this should not be subject to a free-for-all.

"We should now do this. We're not asking any person with religious convictions to sacrifice anything."

The gay marriage plans only apply to non-religious buildings. Religious groups will still not be able to conduct weddings even if they want to – a restriction Labour opposes.

That caveat has led some to claim that the free vote, which is usually reserved to sensitive moral issues like abortion, is not applicable to what is ultimately a matter of civil law.

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.