The Lib Dems are so liberal and so unlike the conservatives that only half of their voters support gay marriage.

I miss the days when I thought the Lib Dems were actually liberal.

"a plurality, if not a majority, of voters support the proposal"

I don't see how this is a plurality given that those who oppose gay marriage total 47% vs 43% for those who do.

I don't believe the Catholic Church should have any moral authority over our society. The disgusting comments by Keith O'Brien are nothing but intolerant bigotry from a despicable human being. Why does this man deserve a platform for his hate-speech?

However we progress with this issue as a society, the Catholic Church should expect no praise, respect or consultation from those living in the real world, who wish to see two people who love each other free to marry, regardless of gender. This vile institution has systematically betrayed the trust of those vulnerable members of society it was supposed to protect, who are they to lecture us on morals?

Mr Danger's interpretation is correct, for those that support gay marriage = 43%, whereas those that don't = (oppose gay marriage but support civil partnerships + those who oppose both) = 47%.

That is 47 out of 90 do not support gay marriage = 52%

In other recent polls (e.g., the COMRES poll reported in the Telegraph) this figure has been found to be 70%

The assumption that gay marriage is supported by the majority of the UK people is unsafe to say the least.

I wonder what the percentage of LGBT want gay marriage and are satisfied with civil unions?

More stats/consultation needed it seems to me at very least before going forward with this plan.

'Do you really think the Tories always do things that the majority always want?' More often than not, yes. Take the cuts. Anyone witnessing the demos, marches etc. would probably be given the impression that the majority were firmly against, despite polls showing that wasn't the case. Ditto workfare-very vocal, very aggressive minorities attempting to portray themselves as vox populi. Even section 28 was repealed under pressure from a liberal political elite and noisy minorities, not the population at large.

You can't base a decision of this magnitude on what the most people think! Most people are complete bigoted, traditionalist idiots! (After all, we've got Tories in charge) The powers that be (whether they be Tory or Labour) need to make the right decision because its the right decision and legalize gay marriage because its the right thing to do, not for any other reason.
If the Roman Catholics don't want to marry homosexuals, then they don't have to, but they shouldn't make an issue for the people who are perfectly fine doing it.
The church (both RC and CofE yields too much power in politics and these decisions should be left to those elected to government, not the people who feel they have a divine right to dictate society because they say so - it's not the medieval times!

"Most people are complete bigoted, traditionalist idiots! (After all, we've got Tories in charge)"

That would be the same Tory party that is trying to legalise gay marriage? Moron.

"Can you justify gay marriage? The simple fact remains, you can't.

And don't give me the whiny prejudice argument. That is irrelevent."

Can you justify a ban on gay marriage? The simple fact remains, you can't.

And don't give me the whiny prejudice argument. That is irrelevant.

"What impact does allowing two people who love each other to marry, have specifically on you and your life?"

There is no justification for a change in the law.

Surely the legitimacy of marriage is supposed to be derived from God's will? And if those who interpret scripture have decided that the definition of marriage is the union of man and woman, what right does the government have to redefine the institution? (Speaking as an agnostic).

@james- pretty pathetic. Can't be bothered to reply and we know why, because you can't actually say why, in reasonable terms, you oppose it or think no change is necessary.