High Peak Liberal Democrats

At the inaugural Attitude Awards, former Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister and current Minister for International Development, Lynne Featherstone received the Politician of the Year Award for her work to secure equal marriage for same-sex couples.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone said:

"I am absolutely delighted to receive this award for Politician of the Year. The Government have committed to legislate on equal marriage by 2015, and I look forward to seeing it happen.

"I want to thank Attitude so much for the award, and wish them all the best with their great work in the future!"

Accepting the award on her behalf last night, Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell and Newquay, Stephen Gilbert said:

"One of the leading women in Government, Lynne pushed passionately for the cause of equal marriage against a backdrop of religious condemnation and right-wing revulsion.

"She argued succinctly and with a good deal of common sense that marriage was owned by the people, not by the Church, and that equal marriage was the right and fair thing to do no matter what the naysayers might say.

"She has stood her ground time and again on the side of equality. She was clear that the Government's consultation was not about whether to bring it in - but how to bring it in.

"In a time of austerity, when some have argued that the focus should solely be on the economy, she was one of the sane voices pointing out that a government can multi-task."

After the awards, Attitude posted on their website:

"Lynne Featherstone has been the face of the coalition's pledge to introduce equal marriage reforms.

"The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has been vociferous in her support for the LGBT community, and the government's promise to deliver same-sex civil marriage rights.

"Congratulations Lynne, you're our politician of the year!"