UK: Tory councillor to stand down because of David Cameron’s decision to legalise equal marriage

A councillor in Essex says Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to legalise equal marriage in England and Wales is a key reason why he will be standing down at the next election.

Cliff Brunt, a councillor in the market town of Hadleigh, said the legalising of same-sex marriage in July prompted his decision not to stand for re-election.

“It was a sad for day this country when it was passed. I am a Christian and my view is that marriage should be between a man and a woman,” he said, reports Echo News.

Gay fellow Tory Councillor Mark Flewitt said he was disappointed by the decision.

“It is a real shame and a waste of all his political efforts.”

Meanwhile, a PinkNews poll shows support for the Conservative Party among the LGBT community has risen from 11% during the 2010 general election to currently 30%.

However, David Cameron’s personal support among the LGBT community is stronger than support for his party. 46% of LGBT voters said that they would prefer him to be prime minister, compared to 37% who support Ed Miliband and 17% who said Nick Clegg.

On 10 December, the government announced that the first same-sex weddings in England and Wales will be able to take place from Saturday 29 March.