British Government

Last ditch attempt to protect freedom of speech and conscience?

Michael Kirke | 29 January 2013

A British MP is going to table a bill in the House of Commons this week which seeks to protect “conscientious beliefs about the definition of marriage”. The bill, being introduced by Edward Leigh, will seek to amend equality legislation to protect free speech. Among other things, it addresses the perceived threat to teachers and public workers who might find the Government’s attempt to legislate for a redefinition of marriage.

“Threadbare idea of equality” behind redefinition of marriage

Michael Kirke | 17 December 2012

Reports from Britain show that the battle in the public square there on the issue of gay “marriage” continues to gather momentum. In the London Times last week one of the country’s foremost thinkers, Roger Scruton, took the government to task for “the shallow reasoning that has dominated the political discussions surrounding this move” to redefine marriage.

British Government plans to introduce gay “marriage” bill next week

Michael Kirke | 12 December 2012

The British Government is expected to announce legislation for what it calls 'Equal Civil Marriage' next week. It will also publish results of its recent 'Consultation' on the issue. The formal debate on the Bill will not take place until the New Year.

The looming dictatorship of the “egalitarians”

Michael Kirke | 19 November 2012

We’re heading for economic dictatorship according to a writer in today’s Sunday Telegraph (UK). But another story carries a grimmer message – that Britain is already in the grip of a more pervasive and sinister dictatorship. “Primary school teachers 'could face sack' for refusing to promote gay marriage”.

Let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no - some hope!

Michael Kirke | 12 September 2012

What is caught on camera when politicians think the cameras are no longer running, or caught on microphones in similar circumstances – or what appears in the drafts of a politician’s speech before his political judgement gives him time to sanitise it for public consumption - is always far more revealing than the air-brushed utterances we are generally fed with.

Cracks deepen in British Conservative Party over marriage issue

Michael Kirke | 25 May 2012

The cracks continue to deepen in the British government’s plans to change the definition of marriage. David Cameron now seems set to give his MPs a free vote on whether gay couples should be allowed to turn their civil partnership arrangements into something they will call marriage.