Sarah Teather speaks out after voting against same sex marriage

Sarah Teather and the Brent Liberal Democrat website claims to be in favour of equal marriage. (Image: Archant)

Brent Central MP Sarah Teather has voted against the legalisation of same-sex marriage in a free vote in the House of Commons, becoming the only one of the borough’s parliamentarians to do so.

Ms Teather opposed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill following its Second Reading on Tuesday.

Ms Teather said her vote against ‘was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever taken’.

“As a life-long liberal and a committed Catholic I spent many months reflecting on this issue in the lead up to the vote,” she said.

Her vote against the legislation comes despite a post on the Brent Liberal Democrat website reiterating official party policy, which supports same-sex marriage.

The article, posted on January 25, said equal marriage would “strengthen the important tradition of marriage in our society, ensuring it remains a vibrant institution well into the 21st century and beyond”.

Next to a banner saying ‘Taking Pride in delivering Equal Marriage’, the post adds: “Previous governments have shied away from taking action on equal marriage, but the Liberal Democrats are tackling the inequalities faced by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community head on.

“The state should not bar a couple who want to marry just because of their gender and the state should not bar a religious body that wishes to do so from conducting same-sex marriages.”

The bill passed with a majority of 400 to 175, a majority of 225 after Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs joined forces with some Conservatives to push through the measure.

Brent’s two other MPs, Labour MPs Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Kilburn) and Barry Gardiner (Brent North) voted in favour of the bill.

For more see Thursday’s Brent and Kilburn Times