18 February 2009

No "rapid conversion" in the Tories' voting record

Tory MPs' recent voting records wreck the claim that there has been a "rapid conversion" in the Conservatives' attitude to gay people, according to LGBT Labour.

LGBT Labour has questioned claims by Tory MP Nick Herbert in a speech a U.S. think tank that the Conservative Party had had a "rapid conversion" in its attitude to gay people - pointing to a string of recent votes where Tory MPs have opposed LGBT equality.

In 2009, Tory MPs voted repeatedly to weaken the Government's new protection from homophobic hatred, by allowing people with extreme views to be exempted from the new law on the basis of religion.

LGBT Labour co-chair Katie Hanson said: "The only thing that has changed from the Tories is their rhetoric - but parties should be judged on what they have done for LGBT right and how their MPs have voted.

"These warm words on gay rights from a Tory MP come the week after David Cameron tried to air-brush his voting record to hide the fact he voted against gay adoption. We would welcome the Tories in voting for equality laws - but no-one will be fooled by warm words alone."

In an interview with this month's Attitude magazine, David Cameron was challenged over a 2002 vote where he voted against allowing gay couples to adopt. In response, Cameron tried to deny voting against gay adoption, saying “No... we were three-line-whipped on that vote and I abstained on it.

But despite Cameron's claim, the truth is that he did voted against gay adoption, favouring adoption for specifically 'married' couples (Division 244, 16/05/02).

ENDS