70% of Tory voters disagree with Mr Cameron, but that's not the point. Very few of these voters would consider defecting to UKIP, a party without a single a MP. The Tories have had the luxury of monopolising the right-wing vote in this country for over a century. Mr Cameron knows full well that he can take right-wing, rural and Home Counties votes for granted. Urban middle class votes in marginal constituencies are a much more attractive prospect.

I found it surprising to come across such bigoted views as above on this website. I suppose the illiberal left is 'alive' and unwell and I can only wish it find some measure of spiritual and social comfort - it must be very tricky being so consumed with a true hatred for love.

The consultation period leading to a open vote on Gay Marriage is
apparently a sham. The minister responsible for the proposal says opposition to it is merely "homophobia" since it is a forgone
conclusion. Ms Featherstone made clear that her mind is already made up, giving a "cast-iron guarantee" that civil gay marriage would become law by the next general election in 2015.

"There is no rolling back whatsoever," she said. "The essential question is not whether we are going to introduce same-sex civil marriage but how."

How is it that a LibDem minister, supposedly committed to free democracy and equality is giving a "cast iron guarantee" that her will be done?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lynne-featherstone-church...

The political class once again prove how far removed from the mood of the general public they really are. Gay marriage isn't that important an issue for people right now. To be perfectly blunt about it - they dont care if a gay couple get married in a church, a register office or a Drive-thru McDonalds. Gay, lesbian and bisexual population account for less than 2% of the population, most people honestly think that Britain has bigger issues to deal with than gay marriage.

This seems to be nothing but a political circus in an attempt to keep people distracted from the bigger issues they face.

The only people Cameron may alienate are the fruitcake fringe who may scurry off to UKIP. It's a pro-liberal policy so any UKIP defections are likely to be offset by neocon Lib Dems who have realised their tories after all.

@ Fergus Pickering

Are you really implying some connection between gay marriage and pedophilia?

I cannot understand Rowan Williams sometimes. For a highly intelligent and reasonable man, some of his arguments are very weak. If he truly believes "that the law cannot be used to impose cultural change, and cannot run ahead of public opinion" then surely this country should still be happily hanging and flogging people - things he (I belive rightly) believes barbaric and have no place in modern society but which the general public in their wisdom - or lack of it - still strongly support. Sometimes legislators really need to lead by considered example. As a christian priest it depresses me just how often churches have to be dragged to a more humane understanding of the complexities of life.

The RC and CofE are not being asked to conduct marriage services for gay people (sadly). "The slippery slope" idea is a nonsense. For example it is many decades since the reform of divorce laws but do you see any sign of a more relaxed attitude or practice by the RC Church? But there are churches and religious groups that do want to extend this to their gay members - such as the Qaukers, Unitarians, Community churches etc, let alone many of us within the RC and Anglican church. How dare the RC and CofE hierarchy pretend to speak for us all. They don't!

"most people honestly think that Britain has bigger issues to deal with than gay marriage"

It does. But this doesn't prevent anyone from dealing with those bigger issues. Believe it or not government can handle more than one issue at a time.

Honestly, the argument that "we'll take care of gay marriage once we've solved every other problem in the universe" is just a cowards way out. If you don't like gay marriage at least have to courage to say so.

And if you still insist that this is taking up too much time, then shut up and get out of the way. It will go faster.

How does homosexuality benefit society? What does it produce???

Normal natural people disaprove of gay so-called marriage because it devalues and undermines their own marriage by equating two hairy man sharing each other's filthy poop shute with what happens in a genuine, natural relationship between a male and a female. Fact.

I havent quite worked out the difference between a registry office civil partnership and same sex marriage. They have the same tax and legal status.

I know lots of people in civil partnerships which carries higher status than marriage for gay people. I dont understand why the hetrosexual community wants to downgrade it a registry office marriage.

If gay marriage is approved by parliment what will happen to the thousands of people who are currently in civil partnerships? Will they be forced to adopt being married even if they want to stay civil partners?

Its sounds to me like a fad.

The statistic are saying the silent majority are indifferent -- and yet even the gay community dont have a strong opinion.

What is Cameron trying to prove? That he is gay friendly? This bandwagon hasnt worked.

Flashbuck - that's like me saying that you commenting on this site devalues and undermines my commenting because you're a homophobic gimp and I'm not.

I'll personally be very proud if we legalise marriage for all consenting adults. There's no evidence-based reason for opposing it.

As a devout Jew, I find the prospect of gay marriage disgusting!!! My Rabi teaches me in the Synagogue that marriage is between man and women. Please Cameron stop this!!!