MPs back gay marriage (From Sutton Guardian)

MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake both back gay marriage

9:30am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Mike Pyle

Both the borough's MPs voted in favour of giving gay couples the right to marry during a historic night in the House of Commons.

Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow and Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake both voted to allow same-sex couples to marry in both civil and religious ceremonies.

The were part of a 400-strong majority outvoting the 175 MPs against giving gay people the right to marry.

The vote means the commons has approved of the motion in principal although there are several more detailed stages to go through before it can become law.

Mr Brake said: "If two people of the same sex wish to publicly express their love and commitment to each other through marriage, then they should be able to do so.

"Society is strengthened by celebrating the institution of marriage and the decision to extend marriage to a larger number of people in our society can only reinforce this view."