• Full Story

Colin Craig: Marriage vote a 'failure of democracy'

Email
Print

Gay marriage vote 'failure of democracy'

3News NZ

Louisa Wall and Colin Craig

Louisa Wall and Colin Craig

By Dan Satherley

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has called last night's 80-40 vote in favour of the Marriage Amendment Bill a "failure of democracy".

Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of Labour MP Louisa Wall's private member's bill, which would legalise same-sex marriages.

But Mr Craig, an outspoken opponent of the bill who debated Ms Wall on TV3's current affairs show The Nation, says MPs are "not at all willing to take direction from their electorates on this issue".

"The advancement of the social liberal agenda in this country is only possible because politicians lack the courage and integrity to vote the way their constituents want them to," Mr Craig wrote on his Facebook page today.

"The Conservative Party opposes redefining marriage and allowing same-sex couple adoption unless this change is mandated by a referendum of the New Zealand people.

"Louisa Wall wants a referendum on state assets, but is opposed to a referendum on the definition of marriage and same-sex couple adoption. We can all see that’s a double standard."

Mr Craig says his party is undertaking research to find out "which MP's (sic) are failing to represent their electorates".

A poll in June showed 63 percent of voters back gay marriage, and 31 percent are opposed. Last night's conscience vote almost matched that, with 66 percent of MPs voting in favour of the change, and 33 percent against.

Only one MP – Labour's Raymond Huo – didn't vote.

3 News

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

19/09/2012 9:39:16 p.m.

Graham wrote:

I am absolutely opposed to this bill,not on religious grounds (agnostic) nor am I homophobic. I believe however that there a few standards remaing in our society which are worth preserving and marriage between a man and a women is high on the list. Civil union fine and equal rights under the law also. But no further.

19/09/2012 9:34:50 p.m.

Graham wrote:

I am absolutely opposed to this bill,not on religious grounds (agnostic) nor am I homophobic. I believe however that there a few standards remaing in our society which are worth preserving and marriage between a man and a women is high on the list. Civil union fine and equal rights under the law also. But no further.

12/09/2012 1:32:58 p.m.

Craig Young wrote:

And actually, according to the evangelical Christian Barna Group, conservative Christians do have higher divorce rates themselves than mainstream Americans, especially in Southern US states like Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas where they predominate... and a lot of other negative stats...

11/09/2012 11:08:20 a.m.

Boyd wrote:

Heterosexuals are already treating marriage like, how you call it, an unwanted christmas present Frank. Think Kim Kardashian or Britney Spears. Get your hesd out of your ass and stop trying to make out gays are trying to revolt and destroy traditions when there's enough evidence to claim hetero's are doing that all themselves.

9/09/2012 5:04:05 p.m.

FRANK wrote:

Thanks for confirming my suspicion Re the number of gays.I talked to some of the good solid gays that i know and their friends , they think the whole think the whole thing is a bit of a giggle,likewise Chris Finlayson a good hard working Mp he said on tv that he had better things to do than to think about gay marriage, and he would be voting against it. I think if they were to get this concession ,they would treat marriage like an unwanted christmas present,it would be in the rubbish bin on boxing day,and they would still be looking for some other fantasy right .My advice to you get rid of your gay hand book you are quoting from and get real.

8/09/2012 11:06:36 a.m.

Craig Young wrote:

How is that relevant, Frank? No one judges heterosexuals by the number of divorces that occur within straight marital statistics, after all. And surely smaller ethnic and religious groups are as entitled to human rights or civil liberties protection as larger ones?

5/09/2012 9:38:58 a.m.

frank wrote:

I see nobody is answering my question Re.the number of gay living in newzealand,and how many wish to get married, perhaps they are so few it might be embarrassing

4/09/2012 2:08:01 p.m.

Craig Young wrote:

Where's this 'research' that Colin Craig keeps talking about? It certainly isn't mainstream pediatrics or developmental psychology, which affirms the benefits and probity of same-sex parenting

3/09/2012 7:22:12 p.m.

BAZRAZ wrote:

What will happen if this bill is passed. imagine this: 2 life term prisoners wish to get married while in prison and are housed in the same unit. If this bill is passed how do you deal with this, are they permitted to live together in the same cell, do you move one to another prison. will they be permitted to openly have sex together? I don't have an issue in the real sense, but I do when it comes to how prisoners are managed.

2/09/2012 12:12:44 p.m.

Chrissie wrote:

I spent my teen years maturing in the sixties, during the Beetle era, flower power, free love (ie. sex without a certificate), running through Soho in the early hours, mixing with gays and lots of interesting and extrordinary artistic people. London buzzed like never before. I think I am very liberally minded and have worked in people orientated professions where anything and everything called 'life' is always credible. And, since we came to NZ from the UK thirty years ago I have always been a staunch member of the National Party. Personally I feel I can cope with the legalisation of prostitution, the sale of state owned assets, (although I am against it), but the issue regarding same sex marriages and the proposed amendment to the Bill regarding adoption, is frankly quiet sickening. Whilst there is nothing wrong with gay relationships, and I feel the Church ought to be accepting, and if a couple want a civil union, that also should be absolute, but same sex 'marriage' in a constituion introduced by Christianity so long ago, cheapens its foundation. How do we know what effect a same sex marriage will have on our children in the future. Are the majority voters able to answer that? Is John Key able to answer that? At what lengths does a leader go in order to retain a vote? I was hoping for a referendum on this issue, so will therefore be cancelling my National support in the future because the people of this country have been undermined; they have a right and a duty to be allowed a say on this so important principle.