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Tue 28 Feb 2012
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Conservatives 'will consider allowing gay marriage'
Mon 12 Apr 2010
The Conservative Party is willing to consider reforming family law to make same-sex marriages legal in the UK.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne was speaking to a group of gay activists when he said the Tories would be happy to think about changing the rules on this issue.
This comes amid controversy on the Conservative Party's stance on homosexuality.
Last week, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling was criticised for saying that people who run bed and breakfast facilities in their homes should have the right to turn away gay couples.
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell rejected Mr Osborne's comments as "meaningless", as he refused to make any "concrete promises" on changing the law.
Mr Tatchell said the shadow chancellor only met with gay activists because of the negative publicity Mr Grayling's comments had generated.
He added that the Conservatives are "obviously worried" that the shadow home secretary had undermined their image as a gay-friendly party.
Carol Ellinas, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "Civil partners have exactly the same legal rights as married couples so there would be no legal benefits from the proposed changes."
This comes after party leader David Cameron said the Conservative Party are fighting the May 6th election for the "great ignored".
