BRITAIN: House Of Commons Begins “Report Stage” Of Marriage Bill

The House Of Commons has begun debate of the Report Stage of its marriage equality bill. The official website of Parliament provides the above chart of how the bill is due to progress. The BBC reports:

Proposals to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales are being debated, with ministers pledging to press on despite opposition from some MPs. MPs gave their support in principle to the landmark change in February but are now discussing proposed amendments. Conservative critics have tabled a proposal to allow heterosexual couples to enter into civil partnerships, if gay couples are allowed to get married.

Ministers warn this could delay the bill and cost billions of pounds. As the legislation returned to the Commons on Monday, Downing Street played down any suggestions the bill would be dropped, saying the government “has a legislative programme and it is getting on with it”.

The Marriage Bill was approved by a 225-vote majority when it was last debated by MPs in February, but nearly half of all Tories voted against it and many party activists remain deeply opposed to it in principle.

Watch the debate live here.