Yvette Cooper ‘worried’ that Andrea Leadsom would ‘roll back the clock’ on LGBT rights
Labour MP Yvette Cooper has said she disagrees with both Tory leadership candidates but that she is “particularly worried” Andrea Leadsom would “roll back the clock” on LGBT issues.
The MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford made the comments at Stonewall’s education for all conference.
Of the two remaining Tory leadership hopefuls Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom, Ms Cooper said: “I disagree with both women on many things, but I am particularly worried about Andrea Leadsom”.
She added: “Her views on same sex marriage are dangerous and depressing and I really worry she will roll the clock back on these issues”.
Mrs Leadsom was yesterday linked to a gay “cure” group in Uganda, with which she helped organise an exchange project.
She said this week that she “doesn’t like” the legislation that brought about equal marriage and would have preferred it if gay couples only had civil partnerships.
The MP for South Northamptonshire, had ‘positively abstained’ on the issue in 2013, voting both for and against same-sex marriage.
Theresa May has maintained a commanding lead in the race to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister – with Justice Secretary Michael Gove eliminated from the running by Mrs Leadsom.
Ms Cooper also made a renewed call for compulsory Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in all schools, which could cover same-sex relationships and other LGBT issues.
“We’ve lost votes in Parliament and there is a slim Tory majority, but we are looking for any opportunity to push legislation through with a huge lobbying campaign.
“We also have increased Conservative support with Maria Miller giving her support yesterday and Nicky Morgan before her. SRE must be compulsory in all schools, in order to fight homophobia and support LGBT students,” she continued.
