Referendum on gay marriage would be ‘un-Scottish, unfair and a waste of public money’, say equality campaigners

By GARETH ROSE
Published on 16/07/2012 12:06

EQUALITY campaigners have said there should not be a referendum on gay marriage following calls from Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

The leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland has said the people should be asked to vote on whether same sex couples should be allowed to marry.

However, the Equality Network, insists that while it believes Scottish voters would back the change in a referendum, it is a decision for the Scottish Parliament, and there should not be a delay.

Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said; “If there was a nationwide referendum, conducted fairly, we are sure that Scots would vote for equality for same-sex couples. But that is not the way Scottish democracy works.

“Our MSPs were elected on clear manifesto commitments to consider the evidence, and decide, and we have confidence in them to do that. A referendum would be un-Scottish, unfair and a colossal waste of taxpayer’s money.

“We urge the Scottish Government to stand firm, stick by its principles and make the right decision. With cross-party support in parliament, and majority support amongst the public, it is now time for the Scottish Government to back equality and bring forward equal marriage legislation without delay. It is the right thing to do, and now is the right time to do it.”

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