Tory members leave over gay marriage

9:00am Friday 15th February 2013 in News By James Nadal

David Cameron was under pressure from his party after the vote David Cameron was under pressure from his party after the vote

DAVID Cameron could face a party leadership challenge, a senior Bucks Tory believes, as the Conservatives were left deeply divided by the gay marriage vote.

Although the bill was approved in The House of Commons, 136 Tory MPs voted against, and another 40 abstained. Less than half - 126 - voted in favour.

Former Wycombe Conservative Association Chairman Bob Woollard, says the strength of feeling on the issue is even greater than Europe and he thinks Mr Cameron may be fought for the Tory top seat before the general election.

Cllr Woollard, from Marlow, was one of 23 senior Conservatives to deliver a letter of protest to the Prime Minister, asking the vote to be delayed.

The Wycombe Conservative Association told the BFP five members had decided against renewing because of their dissatisfaction over same sex marriages.

Cllr Woollard, part of a new Conservative grassroots group, claims the Prime Minister had gone about the bill "in a cavalier way" and called it a "diktat from number 10".

He said: "I think it's an amazing result within the Conservative party, it's a bloody nose for David Cameron and those who have pursued this relentlessly, without proper consultation.

"If you talk to the people at all levels in society and around the UK, as I have in the last few weeks, they're saying what is the matter with Mr Cameron, why is he pushing it so far and so fast?

"People are saying they will never vote Conservative again until there's a change of leadership or the bill is thrown out."

He called the legislation "socialism in disguise".

Asked if he thought MPs might challenge Mr Cameron, he said: "I don't think any challenge will come immediately but I think there could be a challenge before the next election.

"People are more concerned about this than Europe."

He said there were other issues which had caused discontent with his leadership and Tories feel he has not listened.

Cllr Woollard said he and the grassroots group were defending the sacred institution of marriage and congratulated the Bucks MPs who voted against the bill.

Asked if he had the sense that there could be a leadership challenge, Marlow's MP Dominic Grieve said: "I don't get that sense at all. The PM has promoted something and has got a very substantial majority in the commons for it.

"I don't think that's a basis for his leadership being challenged at all. He always made it clear throughout that this was an issue on which we would get a free vote."

Sue Hynard, Wycombe Conservative Association agent, said: "We have had five people recently who have not renewed their membership and who have cited the bill as the reason.

"However, this is balanced by 39 members who have renewed their subscription since the beginning of the year."

The Wycombe association fully backed Mr Baker's vote but did not direct him, she added.

To read the grassroots group's letter visit www.conservativegrassroots.org.uk.

Comments (10)

9:51am Fri 15 Feb 13

townraider says...

Seems we are seeing the Nasty Tories rearing their heads again .
We seem to have quite a number of these old style Tories in Wycombe and Bucks!
Seems we are seeing the Nasty Tories rearing their heads again . We seem to have quite a number of these old style Tories in Wycombe and Bucks! townraider

9:54am Fri 15 Feb 13

Darren Hayday says...

mmmmm I wonder what the true number has been in people not renewing their Tory membership cards in the last 2 years from the Wycombe Conservative Association?

This was not the same party that I joined 10 years ago. I send back my membership card in torn pieces to Sue.

I'm assuming that many more will not bother renewing in 2013 - would you?

It's rather ironic really - I waiting many years for an end to the Labour Government and then look what we got - such a disappointment to everyone (other than the diehard Tory darlings who would no doubt come out and try to bash me... "Yawn...") Bless them.
mmmmm I wonder what the true number has been in people not renewing their Tory membership cards in the last 2 years from the Wycombe Conservative Association? This was not the same party that I joined 10 years ago. I send back my membership card in torn pieces to Sue. I'm assuming that many more will not bother renewing in 2013 - would you? It's rather ironic really - I waiting many years for an end to the Labour Government and then look what we got - such a disappointment to everyone (other than the diehard Tory darlings who would no doubt come out and try to bash me... "Yawn...") Bless them. Darren Hayday

10:37am Fri 15 Feb 13

Dr Truth says...

Darren Hayday wrote:
mmmmm I wonder what the true number has been in people not renewing their Tory membership cards in the last 2 years from the Wycombe Conservative Association?

This was not the same party that I joined 10 years ago. I send back my membership card in torn pieces to Sue.

I'm assuming that many more will not bother renewing in 2013 - would you?

It's rather ironic really - I waiting many years for an end to the Labour Government and then look what we got - such a disappointment to everyone (other than the diehard Tory darlings who would no doubt come out and try to bash me... "Yawn...") Bless them.
Could you not have been a bit more mature about it and let them know in a professional way that you had decided not to renew your membership, rather than returning a destroyed card. That just reinforces the belief that so many of those involved in the political sphere are children dressed in suits.
[quote][p][bold]Darren Hayday[/bold] wrote: mmmmm I wonder what the true number has been in people not renewing their Tory membership cards in the last 2 years from the Wycombe Conservative Association? This was not the same party that I joined 10 years ago. I send back my membership card in torn pieces to Sue. I'm assuming that many more will not bother renewing in 2013 - would you? It's rather ironic really - I waiting many years for an end to the Labour Government and then look what we got - such a disappointment to everyone (other than the diehard Tory darlings who would no doubt come out and try to bash me... "Yawn...") Bless them.[/p][/quote]Could you not have been a bit more mature about it and let them know in a professional way that you had decided not to renew your membership, rather than returning a destroyed card. That just reinforces the belief that so many of those involved in the political sphere are children dressed in suits. Dr Truth

11:20am Fri 15 Feb 13

Bill Taxpayer says...

Good. The more of these self-righteous idiots that leave the Conservatives, the more likely they are to win my vote back.

Cllr Woolard calls marriage a 'sacred institution'. No it isn't. It is a legal status. As for "what's the mater with Cameron", perhaps he acknowledges that laws should apply equally to everyone. Good on him for calling the vote, I say. Common sense at last.
Good. The more of these self-righteous idiots that leave the Conservatives, the more likely they are to win my vote back. Cllr Woolard calls marriage a 'sacred institution'. No it isn't. It is a legal status. As for "what's the mater with Cameron", perhaps he acknowledges that laws should apply equally to everyone. Good on him for calling the vote, I say. Common sense at last. Bill Taxpayer

1:38pm Fri 15 Feb 13

sparky49 says...

There will not be a leadership challenge as they are scared stiff of losing the next election, by the way the torys have not won an election since 92/93 some 20 years, meaning that they have not had a mandate to run the country (same as Brown). They needed the bleeding heart Liberals to get into office and look at the mess we are in and heading for a triple dip recession with that gormless, clueless chinless plank called Gideon.
And before you blame the previous administration for all our ill's. This shower have had nearly 3 years to turn things around and failing.
There will not be a leadership challenge as they are scared stiff of losing the next election, by the way the torys have not won an election since 92/93 some 20 years, meaning that they have not had a mandate to run the country (same as Brown). They needed the bleeding heart Liberals to get into office and look at the mess we are in and heading for a triple dip recession with that gormless, clueless chinless plank called Gideon. And before you blame the previous administration for all our ill's. This shower have had nearly 3 years to turn things around and failing. sparky49

1:41pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Mutley says...

Bill Taxpayer wrote:
Good. The more of these self-righteous idiots that leave the Conservatives, the more likely they are to win my vote back.

Cllr Woolard calls marriage a 'sacred institution'. No it isn't. It is a legal status. As for "what's the mater with Cameron", perhaps he acknowledges that laws should apply equally to everyone. Good on him for calling the vote, I say. Common sense at last.
Yes, the law should apply *equally* to all, but this bill does not create equality. The only equality is that same-sex couples would be able to say they are married. But you end up with 3 statuses instead of 2: Heterosexual marriage with associated consumation and adultery laws, same-sex marriages NOT subject to these laws and Civil Partnerships which are available to same-sex couples ONLY! Hardly a result. Hardly equality.
And how does the argument that marriage should be open to all adult consenting couples who love and wish to commit to each other stand against, for example, a brother and sister who wish to marry. Why should they be discriminated against?
[quote][p][bold]Bill Taxpayer[/bold] wrote: Good. The more of these self-righteous idiots that leave the Conservatives, the more likely they are to win my vote back. Cllr Woolard calls marriage a 'sacred institution'. No it isn't. It is a legal status. As for "what's the mater with Cameron", perhaps he acknowledges that laws should apply equally to everyone. Good on him for calling the vote, I say. Common sense at last.[/p][/quote]Yes, the law should apply *equally* to all, but this bill does not create equality. The only equality is that same-sex couples would be able to say they are married. But you end up with 3 statuses instead of 2: Heterosexual marriage with associated consumation and adultery laws, same-sex marriages NOT subject to these laws and Civil Partnerships which are available to same-sex couples ONLY! Hardly a result. Hardly equality. And how does the argument that marriage should be open to all adult consenting couples who love and wish to commit to each other stand against, for example, a brother and sister who wish to marry. Why should they be discriminated against? Mutley

2:06pm Fri 15 Feb 13

AlBucks says...

Good! Just need a few more of these Tory dinosaurs to leave and I would be more than happy to join the party.
It's good to see most of the Conservative party are modernising but it seems that some in Bucks are still living in the past.
Although I am disappointed in Steve Baker not voting for the bill I can understand the pressure he probably felt from the likes of Cllr Woodward and other decrepit relics of his local party. It's such a shame.
Good! Just need a few more of these Tory dinosaurs to leave and I would be more than happy to join the party. It's good to see most of the Conservative party are modernising but it seems that some in Bucks are still living in the past. Although I am disappointed in Steve Baker not voting for the bill I can understand the pressure he probably felt from the likes of Cllr Woodward and other decrepit relics of his local party. It's such a shame. AlBucks

2:20pm Fri 15 Feb 13

BOOKERite says...

There are a few Tory policies that I don't agree with, such as their overseas aid generosity and their unwillingness to deal adequately with immigration. But I honestly cannot see what the problem is with gay marriage. Please Mr. Wollard, forget about it and move on. We have so many problems in Wycombe, concentrate on them.
There are a few Tory policies that I don't agree with, such as their overseas aid generosity and their unwillingness to deal adequately with immigration. But I honestly cannot see what the problem is with gay marriage. Please Mr. Wollard, forget about it and move on. We have so many problems in Wycombe, concentrate on them. BOOKERite

2:45pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Bill Taxpayer says...

Mutley wrote:
Bill Taxpayer wrote: Good. The more of these self-righteous idiots that leave the Conservatives, the more likely they are to win my vote back. Cllr Woolard calls marriage a 'sacred institution'. No it isn't. It is a legal status. As for "what's the mater with Cameron", perhaps he acknowledges that laws should apply equally to everyone. Good on him for calling the vote, I say. Common sense at last.
Yes, the law should apply *equally* to all, but this bill does not create equality. The only equality is that same-sex couples would be able to say they are married. But you end up with 3 statuses instead of 2: Heterosexual marriage with associated consumation and adultery laws, same-sex marriages NOT subject to these laws and Civil Partnerships which are available to same-sex couples ONLY! Hardly a result. Hardly equality. And how does the argument that marriage should be open to all adult consenting couples who love and wish to commit to each other stand against, for example, a brother and sister who wish to marry. Why should they be discriminated against?
"The only equality is that same-sex couples would be able to say they are married"

Not so. What about the legal status when one dies? Being married makes a big difference.

By all means, let's open civil partnerships up to hetrosexuals if they want.

Brother and sister marrying? Why not, if that's what they want. The case for them not having offspring though is quite different - it's biological.

Anyone play the banjo?
[quote][p][bold]Mutley[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Bill Taxpayer[/bold] wrote: Good. The more of these self-righteous idiots that leave the Conservatives, the more likely they are to win my vote back. Cllr Woolard calls marriage a 'sacred institution'. No it isn't. It is a legal status. As for "what's the mater with Cameron", perhaps he acknowledges that laws should apply equally to everyone. Good on him for calling the vote, I say. Common sense at last.[/p][/quote]Yes, the law should apply *equally* to all, but this bill does not create equality. The only equality is that same-sex couples would be able to say they are married. But you end up with 3 statuses instead of 2: Heterosexual marriage with associated consumation and adultery laws, same-sex marriages NOT subject to these laws and Civil Partnerships which are available to same-sex couples ONLY! Hardly a result. Hardly equality. And how does the argument that marriage should be open to all adult consenting couples who love and wish to commit to each other stand against, for example, a brother and sister who wish to marry. Why should they be discriminated against?[/p][/quote]"The only equality is that same-sex couples would be able to say they are married" Not so. What about the legal status when one dies? Being married makes a big difference. By all means, let's open civil partnerships up to hetrosexuals if they want. Brother and sister marrying? Why not, if that's what they want. The case for them not having offspring though is quite different - it's biological. Anyone play the banjo? Bill Taxpayer

7:17pm Fri 15 Feb 13

yog says...

Bucks Tories have always been 50 years behind the rest of the country.

I don't know why they just don't go and join with their friends in UKIP.
Bucks Tories have always been 50 years behind the rest of the country. I don't know why they just don't go and join with their friends in UKIP. yog

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