HUNTINGDONSHIRE MPs Jonathan Djanogly and Shailesh Vara have voted on gay marriage tonight - as MPs overwhelmingly voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples to wed.
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will give same-gender couples the right to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies – in religions that have opted in.
It will also give couples who have had civil ceremonies the ability to convert their relationship into marriage.
Mr Vara said earlier today (Tuesday) that he planned to vote against the Bill.
“This is a matter of conscience for me and it has also been reflected in the views of the many constituents who have been in touch,” he said. “I have no problem with civil partnerships but if the definition of marriage is redefined then I have a number of serious concerns.”
Mr Djanogly said that he planned to abstain.
Speaking before the vote went through, he said: “My concern, at this stage, is whether the legal protections for religious organisations will be adequate given that I have received a number of opinions that the protections could be legally challenged.”
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