Bristol Tory councillor Richard Eddy resigns as parliamentary constituency chairman in protest against single-sex marriage
One of Bristol's four Tory parliamentary constituency chairmen has resigned in protest at David Cameron's "obsession" with introducing legislation permitting single-sex marriages.
Councillor Richard Eddy, chairman of Bristol South Conservative Association, has written to senior Conservative Party chiefs in the city stating that his "conscience compels me to resign the office".
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Richard Eddy
The Coalition Government is tomorrow expected to debate the controversial bill in the House of Commons.
Mr Eddy is a city councillor for Bishopsworth, fought Bristol South for the Tories in the 2001 General Election, and led the Council Conservative Group between 2005 and 2010.
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In addition, he has been constituency chairman for Bristol South on three occasions since the early 1990's.
Mr Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) commented: "I became a member of the Conservative Party 30 years ago, at the age of 16, and was instrumental in forming the first ever Young Conservative branch in the constituency.
"At the time, one of my reasons for doing so was that I was convinced that the Tory party was one of the most effective ways of protecting a conservative society and the traditional institution of marriage.
"My beliefs and convictions haven't changed, but evidently I was mistaken.
"David Cameron seems obsessed in pursuing his liberal agenda of legislating for single-sex 'marriage', irrespective of the damage it will do, the opposition to the innovation and the fact that you would expect the Government to concentrate upon getting us out of the present recession.
"In the circumstances, with the Prime Minister refusing to listen to the vast majority in his party, my conscience compels me to resign the office of Constituency Chairman."
Cllr Eddy emphasised that he would now devote his energy and efforts to serving his constituents as the Conservative Councillor for Bishopsworth Ward.
31 Comments
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by ToryToMyGrave
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 2:27PM
“It seems a bit harsh that a church will become legally obliged to marry two men in a relationship they disagree with, indeed one they have an accurate history of persecuting. Then if you disagree with it you're branded a homophobic nazi.
As someone said on the radio the other day, it's funny how this all starts with a MANdate.”
by vrtsl36g
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 2:26PM
“I note the careful use of the full forename. Wouldn't want to become known as Dick 'Edd, although somehow.....”
by fishinthepond
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 2:11PM
“@ sgtchilco
"As a married heterosexual middle aged male I can honestly say I can't get bothered about same sex marriage." Then why bother commenting.
"I am delighted that a homophobic Tory has decided to lead by example and resign over this issue." Are you suggesting that opposing gay marriage is homophobic?”
by fishinthepond
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 1:33PM
“@ SCHRIS
"The majority of young conservatives are pro gay marriage."
Young Conservatives represent about 5% of registered Conservative members.”
by Bedgreens
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:42AM
“That's the whole point @ BS3 yellow, marriage is not a private arrangement its recognised by everyone, no one can get married legally without the public being informed. My understanding of civil partnerships was that they would offer all the same legal protections rights and privileges to same sex couples as married couples. This bill is trying to put a square peg in a round hole, that's why the language concocted for same sex marriage is so tortured when it comes to definitions of how the liaison will be consummated, and so by the bills own definitions the two are not same nor 'equal'.”
by BS3Yellow
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 9:30AM
“@BrizBilly
Giving gay people the same rights as heterosexual folks can hardly be described as falling over backwards. It's just leveling a playing field. How does this affect Joe public?”
by BrizBilly
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 8:55AM
“why do the government always fall over backwards to agree everthing that all these minority groups want. Yet joe public just have get on with it.”
by MrsFJH
Monday, February 04 2013, 11:39PM
“@Gazzabristol, marriage ceremonies don't have to be religious. Plenty of people have civil ceremonies which are performed by registrars/humanists. By law, these are not allowed to have any religious content.”
by BristolBobby
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:53PM
“Since 70% of our laws are no made in Brussels these unimportant subjects have been going round and round. If gay people feel the need to get married who damn well cares??? I don't. And if you do its non of your business. Who does it effect? With all the important subject to be debated over and we have gay marriage, is this some kind of joke?”
by SCHRIS
Monday, February 04 2013, 7:30PM
“The majority of young conservatives are pro gay marriage. The older generation is not. Cameron is looking forward, not back.”