Lords rejects gay adoption reforms
Thursday, 17 October 2002
A coalition of Tory and independent peers and bishops blocked by 196 votes to 162 proposals in the Adoption and Children Bill to lift the restriction on unmarried or homosexual couples adopting. The Government immediately vowed to reintroduce its plans in the Commons, which approved them in May.
The Labour Party and Liberal Democrats reacted angrily to the Conservatives' stand and said it showed that the party was not, as claimed by Iain Duncan Smith, caring and compassionate.
Tory peers and bishops argued that the plans would undermine the institution of marriage and lead to instability in households that adopt.
But Department of Health sources said last night that ministers would press forward with the reforms, which had the backing of the "settled will" of the Commons.
The House of Lords backed an amendment tabled by the Tory frontbench peer Earl Howe to retain the status quo, which restricts adoption to married couples and single people.
The Independent
The recent debate in the Victorian State Parliament over relationship recognition gave clear indications that this is what will happen to the proposed reforms of laws relating to adoption, fertility treatment and parental recognition in our state.
Already the Catholic wing of Federal Labor, led by Shoppies Union head honcho Joe De Bruyn - the Dutchman who doesn't like dykes - is demanding Victorian Labor MPs be given a conscience vote on this issue.
Strangely enough, the same demand is being made of British MPs in relation to these measures: sure sign of a Vatican co-ordinated anti-gay conspiracy.
Time for the Roman Men in Frocks to sashay back into their closets, swinging their burning handbags to the hollow tinkling of their bells. Get you Mary!
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