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13/11/2012

Osborne Pledges Support For Gay Marriage

George Osborne has announced his support for gay marriage.

The Chancellor has given his own personal endorsement and has told Tory opponents that not supporting the policy would be electorally damaging.

Many within the party, including backbenchers, are expected to oppose the motion when it comes before Parliament.

But Mr Osborne is in charge of preparations for the 2015 general election and has said there is a clear majority in polls in favour of the change.

He said the US election had shown Mitt Romney to be out of touch with issues in modern America such as abortion and gay marriage.

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He quoted Margaret Thatcher during her 1979 Conservative manifesto speech, saying political parties must reflect the way people want to live their lives.

The move is clearly an attempt to 'modernise' the party, as Mr Osborne also said he opposes any cut from the current 24 weeks.

Writing in The Times, the Chancellor said: "I should declare my personal position on these social issues: I wouldn't change the current abortion laws and I strongly support gay marriage on principle.

"Of course in Britain these issues are ones of individual conscience and free votes, but I am proud to be part of a Government that will introduce a Bill to allow gay marriage.

"It is worth reflecting that in Britain, as in America, a clear majority of the public support gay marriage, and an even bigger majority of women support it. That majority support is just as high in the North as it is the South, and it is equally high among all socio-economic groups.

"President Obama's high-profile endorsement of equal marriage for gay couples also enthused younger voters. But polls found that a majority of all Americans supported him on the issue and voted for it in all four states that held ballots," he said.

(IT)

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"George Osborne has announced his support for gay marriage."