David Cameron Tries to Legalize Gay Marriage, UK Conservatives Fight Back
British Prime Minister David Cameron has been condemned for his plans to legalize same sex marriage, and may face an official protest.
Traditionalist Tory (British Conservative) members of Parliament are said to be recruiting over 100 backbenchers for a campaign aimed at sabotaging the PM's decision to lift the ban on same-sex civil marriage, according to The Independent UK.
In 2011 Cameron announced his plans to legalize same sex marriage at a conservative conference, forcing a number of anti-gay MPs to leave during his speech.
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"We're consulting on legalizing gay marriage. To anyone who has reservations, I say: Yes, it's about equality, but it's also about something else: commitment," Cameron told conference attendees.
"Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other. So I don't support gay marriage despite being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I'm a Conservative," he added.
While the Prime minister insists the move is about equality with the intention to advance social progression, some critics accuse him of breaking tradition to win votes.
One critic, MP David Burrowes, reportedly helped organize the campaign opposing the PM's stance on same sex marriage and expressed his concerns to The Independent.
"Gay marriage is a debate we don't need to have at this stage. It is not an issue people are hammering us on the doorstep to do something about," Burrowes said.
"Many colleagues are worried that it would fundamentally affect how marriage between a man and woman has historically been viewed in this country," he explained.
Gay rights groups have blasted opposing conservatives as homophobic, and suggested that their political and social views are outdated. They insist that homosexuality has become more widely accepted over recent years.
The prospect of a conservative protest against the PM's plan has been brushed off by many gay advocates who assume they are likely empty threats.
Junior Defense Minister Gerald Howarth weighed in on the matter and gave it a religious perspective.
"I take the view that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. That is what Christian marriage is about," Howarth told The Daily Telegraph.
