Gay Marriage A 'Disaster' For Tories, Says MP

By Enda Brady, Sky News Correspondent

Pushing ahead with legislation for gay marriage in church would be a "disaster" for the Conservative Party, an MP has warned.

Stewart Jackson, MP for Peterborough, spoke out ahead of Government plans to pave the way for same-sex equality laws that could see gay marriages allowed in church as soon as 2014.

He told Sky News: "I believe this is a mistake. It's a very divisive issue and an unnecessary piece of legislation.

"It is fundamentally an un-Conservative policy and if (Prime Minister David Cameron) presses ahead with this it will be a disaster for the party and the country."

Stewart Jackson opposes legislation

When the vote happens next year, MPs are likely to be allowed to decide according to their conscience, rather than their party.

Mr Cameron has promised a change in the law in England and Wales by the next election - May 2015 at the latest.

The news has been widely welcomed by the gay community, with one leading vicar hailing it as a "breakthrough".

Reverend Sharon Ferguson, chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said: "It has been a real rollercoaster of emotions, but this is brilliant news.

"We are all God's children and he loves us all equally. So why shouldn't I be able to marry the person I love in church?"

She added: "It takes a good year to plan a good wedding, so we'd better get planning."

Mr Cameron is facing fierce criticism from some Tory MPs over the legislation, which is due to be unveiled this lunchtime by Culture Secretary Maria Miller.

As many as 130 backbenchers are tipped to oppose him in the vote.

The measures will grant religious groups the right to stage same-sex civil marriages in places of worship if they want to but will offer a guarantee so that no institution is forced.

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