More than one-third of Tory MPs oppose
British Prime Minister David Cameron's plans to legalize gay
marriage.
Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick
Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader since 2007, reportedly have struck
a deal to fast-track the marriage reform and will bring it before
Parliament in the New Year. Previously, the government had said that
the measure would be introduced before 2015.
According to the UK's Daily Mail,
118 Conservatives out of 303 have indicated their unease with voting
for the reform.
“They are an eclectic bunch –
including a former breakfast TV presenter, a former top City
investment manager, a Liverpool football fan and a gay friend of
Margaret Thatcher,” the
paper wrote.
“Not only does David Cameron risk
triggering what could easily lead to the biggest schism between a
Prime Minister and his own parliamentary party in modern times, but
if gay-marriage becomes law, he will have set up the biggest clash
between the Church and State since the Reformation in the 16th
century.”
The reform, however, remains on track
for passage with the support of Labour and the Liberal Democrats.