THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron’s plan to allow same-sex couples to marry has passed its final Commons hurdle despite an attempt by almost half of Conservative MPs to block the reform.
Two Cabinet ministers, David Jones, the Welsh Secretary, and Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, were among the 133 Conservative MPs who voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
They were joined by ten other ministers, including John Hayes, who is Mr Cameron's senior parliamentary adviser and a key figure linking the Prime Minister with backbench Tories.
But the legislation was passed by an overwhelming majority of 205 in the free vote on Tuesday night, winning the support of 366 MPs from across the political spectrum. A total of 161 MPs from all parties opposed the reforms in last night's free vote.
Mr Cameron initially championed gay marriage as a personal cause when he surprised his party by announcing his intention to introduce the reforms two years ago.
But he ultimately needed the help of Ed Miliband and Labour MPs to see his Bill pass. » | Tim Ross, Political Correspondent | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
