Tories divided as gay marriage bill passes

British prime minister David Cameron got his way as gay marriage legislation cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons last night — but saw his party split down the middle.

After Cameron’s last-ditch appeal for support, the house backed the proposals by 400 votes to 175.

However, with Labour and Liberal Democrats strongly in favour of the proposal, it was clear that scores of Tories had taken advantage of the free vote to register their opposition.

The Labour Whips office suggested that 139 Tories had voted against the bill, with 132 in favour. Dozens more did not vote.

The result followed more than six hours of stormy debate on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.

Culture secretary Maria Miller said it would make Britain “a fairer place to live”, and insisted religious organisations which did not want to conduct gay marriages had protection.

But Tory MPs lined up to condemn the measures — including the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee Graham Brady, who said he had “serious misgivings” over the assurances on religious freedom.

Former defence minister Gerald Howarth said that the government had no mandate for such a “massive social and cultural change”, which was not mentioned in the Conservative manifesto for the 2010 election.

Speaking in Downing Street less than two hours before the vote, Cameron accepted there were “strong views on both sides of the argument”. However, he added: “I am a strong believer in marriage. It helps people commit to each other and I think it is right that gay people should be able to get married too.

“This is, yes, about equality. But it is also about making our society stronger.

“I know there are strong views on both side of the argument — I accept that. But I think this is an important step forward for our country.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “This is a proud day and an important step forward in the fight for equality in Britain.

“The overwhelming majority of Labour MPs supported this change to make sure marriage reflects the value we place on long-term, loving relationships, whoever you love.

“Equal marriage builds on Labour’s successes in government which include the repeal of section 28, equalising the age of consent, the introduction of civil partnerships and changes to the rules governing adoption.”

Among Conservative ministers, defence secretary Philip Hammond and attorney general Dominic Grieve both abstained in the second reading vote, and housing minister Mark Prisk also did not vote.

Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson voted against the bill.

Gordon Birtwistle was a rare Lib Dem to oppose the measures.

Labour said every member of the shadow cabinet had voted in favour, although there are thought to have been around 20 backbenchers who went against the party line.

There was a Tory rebellion on the whipped vote to set the bill’s timetable, but the government’s programme motion was passed by 499 votes to 55.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: “I genuinely believe that we will look back on today as a landmark for equality in Britain. Tonight’s vote shows parliament is very strongly in favour of equal marriage.

“No matter who you are and who you love, we are all equal. Marriage is about love and commitment, and it should no longer be denied to people just because they are gay.

“The Liberal Democrats have long fought for equal marriage.

“It is party policy and I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are part of the coalition government that are making it happen.

Responding to the result on Twitter, Mr Cameron wrote: “Strong views exist on both sides but I believe MPs voting for gay people being able to marry too, is a step forward for our country.’