St Albans and Harpenden MPs to vote against gay marriage (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans and Harpenden MPs, Anne Main and Peter Lilley to vote against gay marriage

12:51pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

The Conservative MPs that represent St Albans and Harpenden have said that they will not support a new bill for gay marriage.

Conservative politicians Anne Main, the member for St Albans, and Harpenden’s Peter Lilley, say they will vote against the bill for same sex marriage when it is discussed in Parliament.

The first reading of the bill, which will allow same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, will take place in the House of Commons today (Tuesday).

More than 120 Conservative politicians are expected to vote against the government’s plans.

Anne Main, who represents St Albans, said that she will not support the bill as she believes it is flawed.

She said: "Up until the day of the debate I have endeavoured to engage with and listen to groups on both sides of the argument, and I respect that both opinions are deeply held and genuinely felt.

"I also consulted widely amongst my faith communities and have discussed the matter with my bishops.

"Given the sensitivity of this matter I have encouraged people to send me their views, and as of today, nearly nine hundred contacts, some representing groups or families, have contact me opposing this bill; sixty five have contacted me in favour.

"That said I have given great consideration to this matter which is a sensitive issue. I cannot support this legislation which I think is deeply flawed and will inevitability be challenged".

Peter Lilley, the member for Harpenden, has also been inundated with feedback from residents.

He said: "I’ve had many hundreds of letters on the subject and the bulk of them have been against the change.

"It is a free vote. In general people have always respected the fact that I think about these matters and give my best judgement."

However Mr Lilley will also vote against the bill, saying: "I am not convinced that the state should seek to be the moral arbiter.

"By re-defining the work marriage in law, it opens up all sorts of unnecessary problems, not least the risk that religious organisations could be compelled under Human Right legislation to carry out ceremonies contrary to conscience."