Iain Duncan Smith supports gay marriage plans

Iain Duncan Smith, the Works and Pensions Secretary, has stated he supports David Cameron’s pledge to introduce civil marriages for gay and lesbian couples.

Iain Duncan Smith, a Catholic, has given an interview to The Times newspaper in which he confirms his support for Cameron’s proposals to allow gays and lesbians to marry in civil ceremonies. His support for gay marriage is in stark contrast to his previous stance on gay rights issues over the years including the brief period he was leader of the Conservative party.
Duncan Smith, the MP for Chingford, is from the more socially conservative quarter of the Tory party. He opposed Labour repeal of Section 28, introduced by the Margaret Thatcher Conservative government of the 1980s, which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools – effectively meaning teachers could not discuss homosexual relationships with their pupils.
The Tory MP was also opposed to the introduction of Civil Partnerships in 2004 and was not the only Conservative to vote against them though by that time he had been deposed as leader of the party and replaced by Michael Howard. Interestingly Michael Howard, who had previously voted against some gay rights issues, supported the Labour government’s introduction of civil partnerships.  Other gay rights issues that Iain Duncan Smith has opposed include fertility rights for lesbian couples and allowing gay couples to adopt/raise a family.
However, despite his previous stance on gay rights issues the Works and Pensions Secretary has seemingly had a change of heart. He told The Times newspaper he was a supporter of gay marriage now because ‘I’m for things that are about stability. I think our biggest problem is actually with cohabiting parents breaking up at the rate they do — heterosexual cohabitees, not gay couples — because they’re the ones leaving the trail of devastation afterwards’
David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband and Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, have all previously spoken for their support for introducing civil marriages for gay couples. However, there have been a notable number of MP’s within the Tory party who have been vocal in their opposition to the government’s plans – a few Labour MP’s are opposed as well. The Catholic Church is vehemently opposed and has led several outspoken attacks on homosexuality and gay marriage leading to much criticism levelled at the Church.

Written by Martha Kirkpatrick, LGBT editor. Via Pink News