What a busy two days it has been in politics!
Chris Huhne, a great champion of the environmental cause, announced himself a liar and admitted to perverting the course of justice. He joins an all too long list of cheats and criminals that have sat on the benches of the Commons and Lords. Jonathan Aitken, Neil Hamilton and Lord Archer went to prison for their crimes. They were joined in the Hall of Shame by the MPs that bent the rules on expenses. Six bent the rules so far they ended up in prison.
Public confidence in MPs is at an all-time low. This is not just due to the minority of MPs who seem incapable of working within the law. It is because when most MPs go to Westminster they seem to forget about the concerns and needs of their electors.
But this evening, the House of Commons did a great thing. It passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at its second reading by a considerable majority.
This decision is brave, modern and right. Britain has a great tradition of striding towards equality, often against considerable opposition. We have abolished slavery, and legislated for equal rights, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation. The time for gay marriage has come, and the Commons has rightly recognised that.
We are not by any means a perfect country in matters of equality. But we can be a proud of our country and its parliament after tonight’s vote.
The bill has to pass through the Lords. Some pundits suggest the Lords will throw it out. That would be very wrong. The Lords is the most unequal of chambers. Nevertheless, it has a modern-day reputation for bringing wisdom to legislation. It should not oppose this bill. It should recognise the clear will of the Commons and of the British public and work to improve the text of the bill.