MP’s plea to Tories not to kill his NI same-sex marriage Bill
NORTHERN Ireland-born MP Conor McGinn and equal marriage campaigners are calling on the Government not to stand in the way of moves to allow samesex marriage here.
Mr McGinn, Labour MP for St Helens North, urged the Government to “get off the fence” and support the change ahead of the second reading of his Private Member’s Bill tomorrow.
His Bill will officially recognise same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland, bringing rules into line with the rest of the UK and Republic.
Since the Bill’s introduction to the Commons in March, an opinion poll has shown an overwhelming 76% of the public here now support same-sex marriage.
The Bill has been brought in via Parliament’s Ten Minute Rule, which usually leads to the legislation being blocked by the Government.
If the Government chooses to block it, then it will be unable to proceed to committee stage, derailing the process.
Secretary of State Karen Bradley previously confirmed to Mr McGinn the Government would allow a free vote on issues of conscience, but no guarantees have been made ahead of the Bill’s second reading.
Mr McGinn has written to the Ms Bradley to call for the Bill’s safe passage and for clarity on the Government’s position.
The Bill is expected to be read at 2.30pm at the close of busi- ness in the Commons. A similar Bill in the name of Conservative Peer Lord Hayward is currently progressing through the House of Lords.
“The campaign to bring equal marriage to Northern Ireland has more support than ever before, with more than three-quarters backing a change in the law,” Mr McGinn said.
“There is cross-party support in both the Commons and the Lords for equal marriage and the Secretary of State has confirmed that the Government will quite rightly treat this as it would any other issue of conscience — with a free vote.
“In order for my Bill to proceed and bring equal marriage in Northern Ireland another step closer, we need the Government to allow its passage.
“I’m calling on the Government to get off the fence and do the right thing by the people of Northern Ireland and the thousands of same-sex couples who are denied their right to marry by allowing this Bill to proceed.”
Patrick Corrigan, of the Love Equality campaign for marriage equality in Northern Ireland, called on the Commons to bring the legislation forward.