Simon Hughes

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes MP, has promised that the new coalition government will give gay couples the right to civil marriage, before the next general election in 2015.

Simon said a consultation would take place about the coalition government on taking civil partnership to the next level.

Simon commented:
“It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally. That’s different of course from faith ceremonies which are matters for the faith communities… they have to decide what recognition to give. The state ought to give equality. We’re halfway there. I think we ought to be able to get there in this parliament.”

Currently, gay couples in the UK can have a civil partnership, which is not called marriage. They may not have a religious ceremony.