Members of Parliament have overwhelmingly backed calls by a former minister to change the Equality Act to protect Christians and those from other religions who support the current definition of marriage.
By a margin of nearly three to one (86 votes to 31), MPs endorsed a Ten Minute Rule Bill moved by Edward Leigh MP to change the Equality Act.
The Bill would make ‘marriage’ a protected category, meaning that those who believe in traditional marriage would not be penalised for their beliefs.
During the debate Mr. Leigh highlighted the recent case of Adrian Smith. Mr. Smith a housing manager from the Trafford Housing Trust was disciplined for posting a message saying that gay marriage in churches was “an equality too far” on his personal Facebook page. Following a complaint from a colleague, he was demoted and had his pay docked by 40 per cent.
Mr. Leigh served as a minister under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He warned MPs that if pressed ahead with plans to redefine marriage, hundreds of thousands of people could be disciplined, sacked by their employers or be treated as outcasts, just like Mr. Smith.
Mr. Leigh also drew the MPs attention to the fact that despite winning a lengthy legal battle, which ended in High Court last year, Mr. Smith had not been reinstated to his old position, a fact the judge, Mr justice Briggs described as “an injustice”.
Citing legal advice from a top QC Aidan O’Neill, he warned that the Government’s plans would have serious consequences for those who work in the public sector, use public facilities like community centres, or receive funds from the public purse unless there are adequate legal protections.
Speaking after the vote, Mr. Leigh commented:
“Army and NHS chaplains who preach in favour of traditional marriage in their own churches on Sunday could find themselves in trouble for it at work on Monday.
“Tens of thousands of teachers are at risk of disciplinary action for expressing traditional views on marriage. Although my Bill to help these people will not become law, by voting for it today the House of Commons has expressed concern about this important issue. We must now make sure at the very least that the Government’s same-sex marriage bill is amended along the lines we have proposed.”