Scottish Liberal Democrats vote for Equality in Marriage

The Scottish Liberal Democrat party has today helped push equal marriage across the finish line. In a historic vote in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs voted in favour of equality in marriage.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume said: "Today Scotland took a historic step towards the fairer society we all wish to see. This significance of this moment was captured perfectly by the scores of people who came to parliament to show their support for equality in marriage. This demonstrates that our society values every person equally irrespective of their sexuality, and that we regard every loving relationship as worthy of equal recognition."

LGBT+ Lib Dems exec member Dave Page added: "The Lib Dems began the journey to the first major party supporting same-sex marriage at Scottish Conference thanks to Liberal Youth Scotland. After Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone MP driving the England & Wales consultation, and the passage of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act in Westminster, it's great to see same-sex marriage come home as the Scottish Parliament passes this legislation.

"Better still that the Scottish Parliament succeeded where Lib Dems like Baroness Liz Barker and Julian Huppert MP did not, in removing the Spousal Veto from the legislation. This undermines the claim that it is necessary to give people the power to block their trans spouse's legal gender recognition and the rights that go with it. We must also look to Northern Ireland, and call for equality there."