Since becoming the Leader of the Conservative Party in 2005, David Cameron has gone to great lengths to leave the ‘nasty party’ reputation behind. As part of his plan to make the Tories more socially liberal, the coalition government recently reaffirmed its commitment to legalise marriage between same sex couples before 2015. Earlier this month, the Minister for Women and Equalities announced that the legislation would be brought before Parliament early this year. Despite the policy gaining cross party support, the backbenches of the Conservative Party are torn. Some have even described the divide to be the equivalent of Blair’s Clause IV split in the Labour Party. Would a major rebellion cause irreparable damage to Cameron’s leadership, or can the party be reunited under the current leader?
At present, homosexual couples in England and Wales can enter into a civil partnership but cannot marry. Civil partnerships offer many of the legal components of marriage, such as inheritance and property rights. Nevertheless, gay rights campaigners believe that equality of marriage would afford a fundamental right of two people who wish to further their commitment to one another. Stonewall, a prominent gay rights charity, has reacted warmly to the government’s proposals. Crucially, the government has reiterated that religious institutions will not be forced into conducting a ceremony against its will. Political interference in religion would be a step too far. Ultimately, it is for each religion to decide whether to embrace modernity or not.
For many Conservative MPs, this is the latest in a long line of anti-conservative policies of the current government. They are becoming less tolerant of the Liberal Democrats, as Nick Clegg attempts to flex his muscles in the coalition partnership in order to win back much-needed trust. Over recent years, a large number of senior Tories have changed their positions to support gay marriage. Nevertheless, over 100 of their MPs have expressed their intention to vote against the Bill. Among the rebels are Edward Leigh, David Davies and Peter Bone. Fellow backbencher Nadine Dorries claimed that the policy could cost the party four million votes at the next election.
Putting considerations of morality aside, there are legitimate question marks as to whether the coalition government has a mandate to introduce this policy. After all, the legalisation of same sex marriage was not in the 2010 manifestos of neither the Conservative Party, nor the Liberal Democrats. Although some recent polls suggest that as many as two-thirds of the population would agree with the proposals, the current government was not elected on any such pledge. Moreover, the policy was unmentioned in the coalition agreement. It is, therefore, arguable that a change in the law should be delayed until after the next General Election.
There is one main beneficiary of the current Tory squabbling – the UK Independence Party. Its leader, Nigel Farage, has already outlined his intention to attract Tory voters for whom the introduction of same sex marriage will be the “final straw”. There are fears in the Conservative Party that the right-wing members will defect to UKIP. Following better than expected results in recent parliamentary by-elections in Corby and Rotherham, many pollsters are predicting that The UK Independence Party will overtake the Liberal Democrats to become Britain’s third largest political party before the 2015 election.
Going into 2013, those at the top of the Conservative Party will rightly worry about its support base. Cracks are appearing within the party on many other issues too: membership of the European Union, reform of the House of Lords, abortion time limits, press regulation and so on. Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, a large number of the 2010 intake of Tory MPs do not appear afraid to defy the whip. All the signs suggest that this new year could be a torrid one for Cameron, Osborne et al.
The Prime Minister deserves credit for recognising the need to address the issue of gay marriage. In the recent election defeat of the Republican Party in the US Presidential election, some feel that the party did not tackle the issue of gay rights boldly enough. Cameron has shown conviction in directing his party, perhaps mindful that the voters require clarity on such issues.
One cannot help but feel that the advancement of gay rights is long overdue. Having grown up in a generation where homosexuality is widely accepted, extending the right to marry to same sex couples would represent progress. For all the criticism that the Prime Minister is receiving from his own party, his firm stance on this issue will gain respect in years to come. When we eventually look back on this period in history, Cameron’s conservatism will be remembered for bringing the party into the twenty-first century. To be a conservative, one doesn’t have to resist change. Instead, conservatives should be prepared to embrace change when it helps to create a more equal, tolerant and just society.
About the Author
