++ The ayes have it! Equal marriage approved with 225 vote majority
by Stephen Tall on February 5, 2013
MPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government’s legislation for same-sex marriage in England and Wales. At the conclusion of the Commons’ first opportunity to debate the The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, MPs voted by 400 to 175, a majority of 225, in favour of the legislation.
It’s estimated some 140 Tory MPs voted to reject equal marriage.
Here was my immediate reaction…
Equal marriage passed by 400 votes to 175 – 225 majority in favour of the state treating everyone equally. That’ll do.
— Stephen Tall (@stephentall) February 5, 2013
And here’s what some Lib Dem MPs had to say today…
Huge majority of MPs in favour of #equalmarriage – fantastic result and huge step forward!
— Lynne Featherstone (@lfeatherstone) February 5, 2013
No matter who you are and who you love, we are all equal. #equalmarriage
— Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg) February 5, 2013
Based on tonight’s vote the Tory party itself is a liberal/ conservative coalition
—Ian Swales (@iswales) February 5, 2013
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill clears first Commons vote by 400 to 175 Huge win. Now to detailed Committee stage. I am on committee.
— Stephen Williams MP (@swilliamsmp) February 5, 2013
Second reading of Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Ayes 400 Noes 175. Great result.
— Tom Brake MP (@thomasbrake) February 5, 2013
House of Commons votes for #equalmarriage by 400 to 175 – fantastic majority of 225! #fb
— Jo Swinson(@joswinson) February 5, 2013
1st stage of equal marriage well and truly won. Love is love: no one’s love should be counted as inferior to another’s.
— Lorely Burt (@LorelyBurt) February 5, 2013
And the result is … A win for #equalmarriage by 400-175. Fantastic news! #fb
— Julian Huppert (@julianhuppert) February 5, 2013
Voting, after a thoughtful and at times moving debate, to support the 2nd reading of the Marriage (same sex couples) Bill. #fb
— Duncan Hames (@duncanhames) February 5, 2013
it’s slow moving in the “Aye” lobby – full of MPs from all parties – a good sign! #EqualMarriage
— Stephen Gilbert MP (@stephen_gilbert) February 5, 2013
@stephen_gilbert Just delivered one of the finest speeches I have heard in almost 12 years as an MP. Proud to have him as a colleague.
— Alistair Carmichael (@acarmichaelmp) February 5, 2013
New post: Marriage Bill set for Landmark vote in Parliament tinyurl.com/9w9qbrp #equalmarriage
— Lynne Featherstone (@lfeatherstone) February 5, 2013
* Stephen Tall is Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice, a Research Associate for the liberal think-tank CentreForum, and also writes at his own site, The Collected Stephen Tall.