Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 5:43 pm on 5 February 2013.

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Photo of Matthew Offord Matthew Offord Conservative, Hendon 5:43, 5 February 2013

We have heard many claims that the Government are introducing this legislation to make marriage fairer, more equitable, and available to everyone in society. In December, the Minister for Women and Equalities stated:

“Marriage is not static; it has evolved and Parliament has chosen to act over the centuries to make it fairer and more equal.”—[Hansard, 11 December 2012; Vol. 555, c. 155.]

That may have been the case, but marriage as the union of one man and one woman has never changed in thousands of years. Issues such as property rights or where ceremonies can take place have changed, but the essential nature of marriage has not.