MP's view please (From Malvern Gazette)

MP's view please

1:30pm Monday 18th February 2013 in Letters

BEFORE the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012-13 my wife and I both exerted our democratic right and wrote to our MP Harriett Baldwin expressing our concerns about legislation that was not in either the Conservative manifesto or the coalition agreement.

In response, Mrs Baldwin wrote: “I will almost certainly not vote for the Bill at Second Reading on February 5.

“Nor will I vote against its further debate and passage to Committee stage”.

I followed the debate very closely and few could doubt the sincerity, commitment and passion of those who took part both for and against.

It was an example of Parliament at its best.

However, subsequent scrutiny of members’ votes appear to indicate that Harriett Baldwin did not vote for or against. I would welcome a public statement from Harriett Baldwin whether she was present at the debate and what her subsequent actions were.

I believe it is without precedent within living memory that a Prime Minister has totally relied on the Opposition to move a second reading of a Bill to committee stage.

PETER RENGER Malvern