News from Southampton Labour

Alan Whitehead backs equal marriage

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, has called on the Conservative Government to stand by its promise to allow gay couples to marry.

The pledge to legislate to allow for civil marriage ceremonies for same sex couples formed a key part of the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition Agreement. The Government is officially ‘consulting’ on the issue, but a Bill on equal marriage was not included in the Queen’s speech.

Alan Whitehead is calling on the Government to live up to its promise on marriage rights for gay couples. He said:

“We’ve made real progress on gay rights over the last 15 years, and it’s past time we finish what we started by giving same-sex partners the full right to marry and celebrate their union, just as we would for any other loving couple. For me, this is a simple matter of fairness and I hope a few backbench Tory MPs don’t get in the way of the Government doing what is right.”

Other news from Southampton Labour

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• Southampton Labour saves Woolston Youth Club's services - 5 February 2013
• Southampton Labour finds breathing space for Newtown Youth Centre - 31 January 2013