Tory MP Claire Perry does support same sex marriage after all. And as a committed Christian she points to the fact that the new Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev Nick Holtam, is a supporter too.
Mrs Perry, MP for Devizes, who lives near Salisbury, explains that she didn’t vote in Tuesday’s controversial debate in the House of Commons because “urgent government business required me to miss the vote.”
She was listed as one of the Tory MPs who did not vote on the legislation, which resulted in more of her Conservative colleagues voting against the government than for the gay sex marriage Bill, which was passed with an overwhelming majority.
Marlborough News Online asked her to explain her position but she did not respond, and had not issued a statement on the issue on her own constituency websites.
Now she reveals in a local newspaper column: “It comes down to fairness and I think it is fair to allow as many people as possible to marry regardless of race, colour or sexual orientation.”
“Marriage is the bedrock of our society and anything that strengthens it is to be supported and this move will strengthen, not weaken, marriage.”
“I reach this view as a practising Christian and it is one shared by our Bishop, the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam.”
Mrs Perry, married with three children, adds: “I support this legislation, although the irony of the matter is that urgent Government business required me to miss the vote on the second reading to the Bill on Tuesday.”
“I have appreciated the communications from my constituents on this issue – both sides of the argument have been represented without rancour and helped me to reach my decision.”
Claire Perry told Marlborough News Online: “I was due to go to Afghanistan with the Secretary of State as per my twitter comments this morning. I’ve just returned. I intend to support the legislation at the third reading subject for scrutiny of the amendments.”
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