MPs have approved legislation for same-sex marriage in England and Wales, despite the opposition of dozens of Conservative MPs.

The Commons voted in favour of the The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, by 400 to 175, a majority of 225, at the end of a full day's debate on the bill.

Prime Minister David Cameron has described the move as "an important step forward" that strengthens society.

About 140 Conservative MPs are thought to have voted against the plans.

Former children's minister and Conservative MP Tim Loughton told the BBC that he believed "140 or so" of his party colleagues had voted against the plans, along with "a small rump of Labour MPs" and "four Lib Dem MPs".

He added: "Apparently there's 132 Conservative MPs that voted in favour, so I think what we're going to see is that more Conservative MPs voted against this legislation than for it."

The MPs' decision to back the bill at second reading signifies that they approve it in principle. The legislation will now receive more detailed parliamentary scrutiny

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21346220

Has anyone else seen all the pie charts on twitter?
I think it's still illegal in the Church of England and Wales though.

Yeah, but why in the world would you want to marry in a religion that sees you as a lessor?

Also, this is just a first vote. It doesn't mean gay marriage is legal in the UK yet. It has to have a committee reading and then passed onto the House of Lords first.

But a good start.

Just use this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21346220

Congratulations!

Happy tears. Great start!

**** yes Commons.

If the House of Lords ****s this up there'll be hell to pay.

Nah, I doubt they will. Remember, the only power they have is to delay the bill for 12 months. But I think it will go through after such a big majority in the Commons.

I'm a BIT mad at Kwob though, I sent him a paragraph and he explained to me that it meant gay marriage will be legal and so I put that in my Uni assignment, fingers crossed my tutor doesn't know anything about it.

You're late UK!
But anyway congrats on finally improving human rights.
It was about time!

happy tears in my eyes

Yeah but they've been estimating that the majority of the Tories will vote against in the House of Lords, which would put a huge dent in the chances of it passing. I guess it's mostly up to the rest of Lords to keep up with them by voting oppositely.

Great news!

This wont approve it in the UK though, Scotland and Northern Ireland make their own marriage law decisions. Scotland's legalising gay marriage in 2014 or so though so we're just waiting for NI it seems... (Note: It's still illegal to have an abortion in Northern Ireland so yeah... It'll be a while until gay marriage is legalised throughout the UK.)

And if the House of Lords dares try to block this proposal... Stupid unelected house. Glad Scotland doesn't need to deal with their crap most of the time.

Great start.

Northern Ireland (regardless of whether or not it is a pit) has completely different issues it has to deal with though like the flegg though so it's not actually that big a deal.

Very proud of UK, now they need to make sure the house of lords also approves it