This evening's votes
Despite the efforts of Nadine Dorries and some other MPs, the results of this evening’s votes in the Commons are positive. There has been no restriction on abortion rights and the discrimination against same-sex couples implicit in insisting on ‘the need for a father’ has been removed.
I think that Dawn Primarolo has won some friends this evening with this intervention on single mothers and same-sex couples (as reported on guardian.co.uk)
“There is no evidence that these women do not make good parents or that somehow they make bad parents and should be prepared to take additional steps”
And in an intervention to Ms Dorries that may become a leitmotif for some of the Liberal Conspirators, not least Sunny and Unity, and Tim ‘Bloggerheads’ Ireland:
“She has asserted many things as fact which are not this evening.”
This is not, however, a time for celebration; after issues that raise such passions are debated, it is not appropriate. Tempers have been frayed and emotions aroused on all sides. It is worth remembering, however, that Parliament has prevented the creation of a new generation of Vera Drakes.
I suspect that people will be going through Hansard with a jeweller’s loupe to reply to some of the arguments that were deployed in support of the restrictions. I do not believe that certain sections of that lobby will do anything other than redouble their efforts.
While this has been going on here, California has lifted its ban on same-sex marriage. Amongst the first to be married will be Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi while George Takei, better known as Mr Sulu from Star Trek, will marry his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman.
xD.
