Falmouth's MP to host gay marriage meetings
12:00pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Falmouth/Penryn
The hot topic of gay marriage will be the focus of two public meetings in Truro, in advance of a vote in parliament.
Falmouth and Truro MP Sarah Newton and the Bishop of Truro Rt. Rev. Tim Thornton will co-chair the meetings to discuss proposals to enable equal civil marriage on January 18.
The morning meeting will be held at Diocesan House, Kenwyn, Truro from 10am and noon, and the evening meeting held at the Chapter House of Truro Cathedral from 6pm to 8pm Both meetings will see Mrs Newton and the Rev Thornton oversee a public discussion of the proposals.
National speakers will address the audience on the proposals, with a representative from the gay and lesbian rights charity Stonewall speaking in support and Sharon James from the campaign group ‘Coalition for Marriage’ presenting the opposition case. The discussion will then be opened to the audience, with a range of local organisations, including the Mother’s Union and the Falmouth and Exeter Student’s Union, represented at the meeting.
Mrs Newton said: “I am aware that many of my constituents have deeply held views on the same sex civil marriage proposals. As a firm believer in representative democracy, I will be casting my free vote in Parliament on this issue according to the majority view of my constituents.
“The forthcoming public meetings in Truro will enable people to find out more about what is actually being proposed. Like any new policy the proposals for same sex civil marriage are liable to be misunderstood, these meetings are an excellent opportunity for people to learn the actual details of the proposals and to listen to different points of view regarding them.”
“I look forward to seeing as many of my constituents on the day as possible, and to a full and frank discussion about this issue. I would also welcome any views that local residents who can’t attend either meeting would like to convey to me by letter or email.”
Rt. Rev. Thornton added: “Clearly it is a matter on which people hold very strong views and I want to listen carefully and participate in the conversation to try and discern what people are thinking and to understand their views.”
People are asked to register their attendance through www.sarahnewton.org.uk or by calling her office on 01872 274 760.
