Cameron Under Pressure On Tax Breaks To Win Support For Gay Marriage Bill

David Cameron and George Obsorne are reportedly under press from backbenchers within the Conservative party to give tax breaks to married couples, and those in civil partnerships, in exchange for support on the same-sex marriage bill.

According to media reports the duo are facing pressure from within their own party to carry through on the election promise on tax breaks for married couples. The tax break promise was part of the Tory party’s manifesto during the last General Election – as part of their focus on the family – but such breaks are opposed by their coalition partners the Liberal Democrats.

The same-sex marriage bill will go before parliament next month and will be a free vote; MP’s will be able to vote on their own personal beliefs rather than on party policy. Although the bill is expected to make it through the House of Commons with support from the majority of MPs a large number of Conservative MPs are said to be opposed to allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry – although Cameron and Osborne are amongst the high profile supporters of the move.

Some backbench MP’s are promising to give the marriage bill their support but only in exchange for the tax-breaks. Former minister Gerald Howarth is quoted by The Times as saying “What … is there for us? Implementing a manifesto commitment should come before implementing something for which there’s no mandate, let alone public consent, and which has the added disadvantage of being deeply resented by longstanding, hard-working Conservative members who feel they are being trampled on.”

The same-sex marriage bill will go before the House of Commons on 5th February and is expected to pass with support from Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs.

The issue of gay marriage is in which David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband all agree on even if not all of their respective MPs and party members share their views. However, public opinion has continued to be in the majority, according to opinion polls, despite vocal opposition from the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

Experts are predicting though that the marriage bill will be voted down when it reaches the House of Lords.