Commons votes in favour of gay marriage

The House of Commons has voted in favour of allowing gay marriage in England and Wales after the third reading of the bill today (21 May).

The latest two day debate over the controversial bill witnessed a number of passionate speeches for and against as well as several failed amendments.

The issue has added to the considerable tensions between David Cameron and many grass roots activists and backbench MPs who, stirred by the debate over Europe, have been further angered by their leader's support for marriage equality between gay and straight couples.

With support from the vast majority of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, the bill was passed despite significant Conservative opposition.

161 MPs voted against the bill with 133 Tories proceeding through the 'no' lobby. 15 Labour and four Liberal Democrat MPs voted against alongside eight Democratic Unionists and one independent. Two members of the cabinet, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Welsh Secretary Davd Jones voted against.

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw told The Exeter Daily: "I was pleased the Commons voted so overwhelmingly for the Bill. This is a small last step to legal equality for lesbian and gay people, building on Labour's Civil Partnerships. It does not affect Church or religious marriage. But, as a member of the Church of England myself, I look forward to a time when the churches also treat their lesbian and gay members equally, as the Quakers and Unitarians already do."

The bill must now travel to the House of Lords but if it becomes law, ceremonies could begin as soon as next summer.