David Cameron has defied many of his backbench MPs by pledging to legalise gay marriage by 2015.
At a No 10 reception for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community last night, the Prime Minister stressed his determination to push through the reform despite strong opposition from his party.
His comments came as the Deputy First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government plans to legalise same-sex marriage.
Highlighting how Labour brought in civil partnerships under Tony Blair, he said: “I just want to say I am absolutely determined that this Coalition government will follow in that tradition by legislating for gay marriage in this Parliament.
“I make that point not only as someone who believes in equality but as someone who believes passionately in marriage.”
Praising marriage as a great institution, he said: “If it’s good enough for straight people like me, its good enough for everybody and that’s why we should have gay marriage, and we will.” The Prime Minister also compared the Church, which is resisting the plans, with the Conservative Party’s previous attitude to homosexuals.
“It locked people out who were naturally Conservative from supporting it and so I think I can make that point to the Church, gently,” he said, adding that his party had for years “got itself on the wrong side of this argument”.
But Tory MPs criticised his stance. Backbencher Peter Bone said: “It would be very strange if, just before the Olympics, when all the countries are coming together, that we are talking about something which is clearly divisive. The bulk of Conservative MPs hope that this will be quietly left until after the next election.” He added that a consultation on gay marriage would be a “sham” if the Government had already made up its mind.
Mr Cameron is under intense pressure to allow a free vote on the issue which could see a major revolt by his MPs, although the legislation could still pass with the support of Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
