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MP Phillip Lee abstained from voting on the gay marriage bill
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How your MPs voted - Gay marriage

By Jennie Slevin
February 06, 2013

Dr Phillip Lee, MP from Bracknell Forest has registered abstention on a vote to legalise same-sex marriage.

Last night MPs were given a free vote, meaning they were not told which way to vote by party whips, on whether or not couples of the same sex should have the right to get married in civil and religious ceremonies.

Dr Lee and Rob Wilson, Reading East MP, voted both for and against the bill, technically abstaining from the vote.

Gay marriage - why Dr Phillip Lee abstained

Windsor MP Adam Afriyie whose constituency includes some areas of Bracknell, and Wokingham's John Redwood voted against the bill whereas MP for Maidenhead and Home Secretary Theresa May voted for the bill.

MPs voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill by 400 to 175, a majority of 225.

The legislation will now be further scrutinised by Parliament.

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At least he had the right to vote. Even more doubtful are the votes of the Scottish MPs on a bill that won't apply to Scotland. In particular Ming Campbell who proudly announced that he had voted for the bill.

Most dictionaries define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The next government proposed change is that red will be redefined as green so that colour blind people have equality.

PoneRana, Wokingham
06/02/2013 at 13:04

Steady on Mr Evans - people like Frank will talk!

Mme. Madeline Vegas
06/02/2013 at 12:49

For those who keep on saying we need to get rid of Honest Phil Lee, Man of the People why not record your displeasure here:

http://38degrees.uservoice.com/forums/78585-campaign-suggestions/suggestions/3544175-bracknell-conservative-association-must-recall-and

Then again in 2015 by not returning him to his life of two salaries and a lovely expense account which really needs looking at. A flat in London when he only lives in Bisham - he could save us money by getting a cab home at night, but his claim is in my opinion dishonest due to the rules governing such claims as I have previously stated.

Winstanley - I am sure we won't fall out. Maybe you, Maddie and me should have a our own platform for 2015 which is free of party politics.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
06/02/2013 at 12:41

Ooh, what's this? Just had a leaflet dropped through my letterbox from the Campaign For Marriage asking me to "tell my MP not to redefine marriage".

Even the opponents can't get their act together - the vote was yesterday, but you campaign today.

I'm interested in the quote that says 620,000 people signed a petition opposing gay marriage. As though that somehow represents the nation.

All I would ask is how many people didn't sign it?

This specious lump of propaganda isn't even worthy of Goebbels.

Mme. Madeline Vegas
06/02/2013 at 12:34

I am incredibly heartened by the debate here - it goes to show that the ordinary voter has a much firmer grasp of the realities of life.

Whether for or against this particular issue, it shows up the political classes for the bunch of bickering children they so often appear. It really does remind me of overhearing my children after school arguing about the pettiest of concerns, while the adults carry on with the important matters.

Like putting food on the table, making sure the kids are safe, a roof kept over our heads, and wishing that amongst all the juggling we could have some kind of life for ourselves occasionally!

What concerns me is when MP's across the spectrum, who are fearful of their own sexuality, make decisions based on protecting their own electoral viability, rather than acting with honesty and integrity.

Winstanley, Bracknell
06/02/2013 at 12:26

My views on Phillip Lee are well voiced on this website.

With regards to gay marriage, I don't see why anyone would be against it given that is has absolutely no impact on their lives whatsoever! It's pathetic!

Bruce Wayne
06/02/2013 at 11:59

Well, deciding to waste the vote on an issue won by such a clear majority is rather hopeless, but try to hide your surprise that Lee would make sucha total mess out of having an opinion and sticking with it. He has proven utterly hopeless at having any impact other than passers by rolling their eyes.

Otherwise, I am loving this - "we disagree with our party on something, so we shall make a monumental difference to the party by buggering off and whinging from somewhere where we no longer represent those who elected us." And they think it is a threat of some sort, rather than the amusing sight of a gaggle of idiots shooting their own feet. Go on. Go. But keep the noise down when you leave, because you will have stopped affecting anything and will just be making pointless noise.

My congrats to Neal on still having friends. Well done you. And Frank - my family would love it if you just shut up. If you hate anything other than your own family, hide away with them, preferably not on a sheep farm somewhere. Demonising other families doesn't make you a decent human being, nor does it encourage anyone to hear your bleetings (pardon the pun).

Nowtas, West Berkshire
06/02/2013 at 11:56

So what happens when the children or grandchildren come out as gay Frank?

Is being gay defined purely by what happens in the bedroom?

Are those who are gay incapable of providing a warm, loving, secure, and respectable family environment?

I would challenge you on equating being gay with zoophilia* but you're doing such a good job of highlighting your commendable views.

*seriously editors, why ban perfectly acceptable words that are not offensive, and best describe an act when part of grown up debate?

Mme. Madeline Vegas
06/02/2013 at 11:44

Disgraceful. Disgraceful. Disgraceful. When can we get this clown out?

dodgynews, Bracknell
06/02/2013 at 11:25

Apparently, on the politics website, Phillip Lee has been voted as the 3rd worst MP on Twitter.

"It's difficult to imagine a mind so broken it could bear to read the tweets of Dr Phillip Lee, although some must exist, because he sports over 600 followers. His messages are commendably constituency-based, but they are so grey it is hard to finish them without falling into a catatonic state of despair. "Today met with BT senior executives to discuss broadband in Bracknell constituency," he tweets. And then: "My regular walkabouts through the constituency are a great way to meet local residents." Siri probably has a more distracting social life."

Regular walkabouts??!!

I fear, Mr Winstanley, that modern politics would not tolerate my Churchillian habits.

Mr Barlow - how does supporting gay marriage not conform to your stated Conservative policy? Surely affording equal marital status to same sex couples, as they exist for straight couples, IS supporting family and family life.

Mme. Madeline Vegas
06/02/2013 at 11:15

Dr Lee The traditional Conservative policy and practice is to support the family and family life. He should resign and join the Liberals.

Frank Barlow, Bracknell
06/02/2013 at 11:05

Oh dear Neal. I'm contemplating a run as an Independent! Perhaps Ms. Vegas wishes to come aboard?

I do hope we won't fall out. Haven't heard from Phillip, not that I expect to. Although I was annoyed that my daughter was overjoyed at having her picture taken with him (harumph!)

The trouble with this whole gay marriage debate is that it becomes different things to different people - some will view it as a further sop to liberal views, others will demonise those against as homophobic. Traditionalists and church-goers will see it as an attack on their values, while those who embrace diversity see it as moral obligation.

Without knowing the detail of Lee's thinking I would say, for me at least, he called it right. As a colleague of his said - positive abstention.

Winstanley, Bracknell
06/02/2013 at 10:44

Neal - I agree ...... I dont actually care which way he voted providing he actually said YES or NO .... but to abstein is horrendous

Tom Edwards, Bracknell
06/02/2013 at 10:40

I'm with you Tom. I am going over to the other side on the next vote. At least UKIP seem to actually understand how the people of this country feel (although I’m in favour of wind farms and solar panels everywhere if I had the choice). The other parties think they do but are living in lala land. Personally, I agree that we should all live in harmony whether gay, straight or any other persuasion. It’s about time the government started to LISTEN to the people rather than presuming all the time and going by what the church wants. This is 2013 AD, not 2013 BC – times change and so do people’s views and if we can all move with it, then why can’t the people who make changes do the same?