Howard endorses gay partnerships (Tories-UK)

[IndianaGreen]

Howard endorses gay partnerships

Tory leader softens hardline image with vision of inclusive society

Nicholas Watt, political correspondent
Tuesday February 10, 2004
The Guardian

Michael Howard yesterday took a significant step towards ending his image as a hardline former home secretary when he endorsed same-sex partnerships.

In a break with William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith, who both fell foul of Tory modernisers over touchstone moral issues, the Conservative leader showed his support for changing values when he declared that many families do not conform to tradition.

Mr Howard has already announced that Tory MPs will be allowed a free vote on the government's civil partnerships bill, which will allow same-sex couples to register their relationship - a move which secured him the support of the Michael Portillo wing of the party.

But in a lengthy speech yesterday to Policy Exchange, the centre-right thinktank set up by Mr Portillo's supporters, Mr Howard went a step further. "Families are changing," the Conservative leader said. "Not all conform to the traditional pattern. I continue to believe that the conventional marriage and family is the best environment within which to bring up children.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/gayrights/story/0,12592,1144769,00.html

[Djinn]

1. cool

all those Tory MP's might actually be able to come out now

[David Zephyr]

2. Thanks, IG!

Real news!

[T_i_B]

3. hahahahahahaha

Howard personally pushed through section 28 and now he wants us to belive he accepts that sort of thing!!! Abolishing that law was one of the few progressive things Blair has done.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1086744,00.html

As someone who wants to see Howard at least challenge the neo-elected dictatorship that lords over us by returning no less than a strong opposition, I was disappointed that he was among the 76 Tory MPs to vote for the retention of Section 28.