LIVE VIDEO: British Election Results

TRAILER: Britain's Election 2015

Posted yesterday by the BBC: "Five weeks of talking is almost over. Seven parties have been grilled in the Live Lounge. Hundreds of young voters joined us for three debates across the UK. The general election is coming on Thursday 7th May. Who wins? You decide."

ISIS Beheads British Aid Worker

David Cameron: I'm OK With Gay PDA

British Prime Minister David Cameron was interviewed last night by gay journalist Evan Davis, who grilled Cameron about his positions on "modernizing" issues. Via Gay Star News:

Davis asked if he saw two recently married men kissing in a public park, would he consider it to be 'sweet' or 'mildly inappropriate'? 'No, that's fine. I've been very clear about this and this is where I do, as it were, marry traditional and modern values,' Cameron said. 'I believe in the family, I believe in marriage and I think it's such a great institution I think men should be able to marry each other and women should be able to marry each other.' He added: 'If I can kiss my wife in public I don't see why you can't kiss your husband in public.'

Cameron was also asked whether he wanted children to learn weights in kilograms or pounds and ounces, with the Prime Minister picking the latter. And he also said if a company had to choose between a moderately capable Brit or a very good Latvian for a job, he would rather the British company employed British people but it would be entirely up to them. Davis used the questions to highlight Cameron's attempts to heal the rift between the two sides, the modern and the socially conservative, of his party.

Start at the 9:30 mark.

BRITAIN: Cameron Promises Devolved Powers For All Nations In United Kingdom

During his triumphant speech early this morning, British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed that "just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England, Wales, Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs." He continued, "The question of English votes for English laws - the so-called West Lothian question - requires a decisive answer. So just as Scotland will vote separately on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England as well as Wales and Northern Ireland should be able to vote on these issues." Some have worried that the government will be pushed further right without liberal Scottish votes in Parliament.
  

BRITAIN: Leaders Sign "Historic Pledge" To Scotland If They Vote No On Secession

Via the Scotland Daily Record:

Westiminster main party leaders today set aside their differences to promise that a No vote will mean a stronger Scottish Parliament and total protection for the NHS. David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have signed up to a historic joint statement that was demanded by the Daily Record on behalf of the people of Scotland. In their own words, they pledge to work together to transfer more powers to Holyrood if Scots reject independence on Thursday. The Prime Minister, his Lib Dem deputy and the Labour leader also promise to ensure that no one other than the Scottish Parliament can cut vital public services such as the NHS. The unprecedented agreement was signed after the Record demanded that the leaders clearly explain what they are offering so the Scottish people can decide if it is a better alternative to independence. The agreement was brokered by former prime minister Gordon Brown and Scottish Labour. It will give Scots who remain unsure about separation complete confidence that, if there is a No vote, Scotland will still be given much more control over its future.

The British government has been in panic mode after recent polls showed a surge of support for independence. On Sunday, Queen Elizabeth cautioned Scots to "think carefully" about their vote even though Buckingham Palace is officially neutral on the issue.

British PM David Cameron Pleads With Scots Not Rip Apart "Family Of Nations"

Via Reuters:

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday begged Scots not to rip apart the United Kingdom's "family of nations", flying to Scotland to man the barricades against a surge in support for independence eight days before a referendum. Cameron appealed to Scots to use their heads and their hearts when they voted on Sept. 18. He reminded them of their shared history and bonds with England, Wales and Northern Ireland - twice evoking World War Two and the fight against Hitler. He also warned that an independent Scotland could not keep the pound currency, jobs would head south, and the country's security be weakened. "I would be heartbroken if this family of nations was torn apart," said Cameron.

Prime Minister David Cameron Celebrates Start Of Marriages In England & Wales

"The introduction of same-sex civil marriage says something about the sort of country we are. It says we are a country that will continue to honour its proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth. It also sends a powerful message to young people growing up who are uncertain about their sexuality. It clearly says ‘you are equal’ whether straight or gay. That is so important in trying to create an environment where people are no longer bullied because of their sexuality – and where they can realise their potential, whether as a great mathematician like Alan Turing, a star of stage and screen like Sir Ian McKellen or a wonderful journalist and presenter like Clare Balding. We are a nation that is growing stronger economically because of our long term economic plan. But I hope we can also be a country that is growing stronger socially because we value love and commitment equally. Let us raise a toast to that – and all those getting married this weekend." - British Prime Minister David Cameron, writing for Pink News.

God Has Flooded Britain Because He Is Very Pissed About Gay Marriage

"The scriptures make it abundantly clear that a Christian nation that abandons its faith and acts contrary to the Gospel (and in naked breach of a coronation oath) will be beset by natural disasters such as storms, disease, pestilence and war. I wrote to David Cameron in April 2012 to warn him that disasters would accompany the passage of his same-sex marriage bill. But he went ahead despite a 600,000-signature petition by concerned Christians and more than half of his own parliamentary party saying that he should not do so.  It is his fault that large swathes of the nation have been afflicted by storms and floods." - David Silvester, councilor for Britain's United Kingdom Independence Party.  Silvester's words would be old crazy hat here in the US, but they are front page news in Britain. (Tipped by JMG readers John and Kevin)

British Prime Minister David Cameron Issues World AIDS Day Message

Messages have also been posted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Party leader Ed Miliband.

NOM: Gay Marriage Is A Vote Loser

Posted today to NOM's blog:

In England, a recent report showed that nearly two-thirds of MP's believe that supporting gay 'marriage' is a 'vote loser.' And reports from local Conservative associations show a rapid decline in membership, with gay marriage seen as one of the reasons. Now even the Prime Minister, David Cameron, is saying that he regrets "forcing" marriage redefinition through the Parliament. The same can be said in America. Despite the droning drumbeat of the mainstream media, nearly two-thirds – 65 percent – of Americans disapprove of redefining marriage. During the November 2012 elections, true marriage out-polled the Romney campaign in all four states marriage was on the ballot – by double digit margins! It seems English politicians have already learned what the GOP in America – and all its candidates – need to grasp. Defending marriage as one man and one woman is a winning issue at the polls.

FACT CHECK: Aside from the inconvenient truth that equal marriage WON in all four of those states, Cameron has denied making those claims of "regret."

HomoQuotable - Stephen Fry

"I am gay. I am a Jew. My mother lost over a dozen of her family to Hitler's anti-Semitism. Every time in Russia (and it is constantly) a gay teenager is forced into suicide, a lesbian 'correctively' raped, gay men and women beaten to death by neo-Nazi thugs while the Russian police stand idly by, the world is diminished and I for one, weep anew at seeing history repeat itself. 'All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,' so wrote Edmund Burke. Are you, the men and women of the IOC going to be those 'good' who allow evil to triumph? The Summer Olympics of 2012 were one of the most glorious moments of my life and the life of my country. For there to be a Russian Winter Olympics would stain the movement forever and wipe away any of that glory. The Five Rings would finally be forever smeared, besmirched and ruined in the eyes of the civilised world." - Stephen Fry, in an open letter to the IOC and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

You really should read the full essay.

BRITAIN: PM David Cameron Wants To "Export" Gay Marriage To The World

Speaking to a group of LGBT supporters, yesterday British Prime Minister declared that he wants to "export" his success with same-sex marriage to the world.

Thanking the ministers and civil servants who helped to pass the legislation into law despite objections from the Tory Right, he said: It’s been a real pleasure to work with you and to deliver this landmark social change for our country, which to me still comes back to the simple word of commitment.” He said that he wanted to "export" same sex marriage around the world so other countries could follow suit. He said: “I’ve told the Bill team I’m now going to reassign them because, of course, all over the world people would have been watching this piece of legislation and we’ve set something, I think, of an example of how to pass good legislation in good time. “Many other countries are going to want to copy this. And, as you know, I talk about the global race, about how we’ve got to export more and sell more so I’m going to export the bill team. I think they can be part of this global race and take it around the world.”

(Tipped by JMG reader Huntington)

David Cameron Cheers Gay Marriage

"I am proud that we have made same-sex marriage happen. I am delighted that the love two people have for each other — and the commitment they want to make — can now be recognised as equal. I have backed this reform because I believe in commitment, responsibility and family. I don’t want to see people’s love divided by law. I also want to acknowledge those that worked to bring about this moment: the campaigners, groups such as Out4Marriage and Freedom to Marry, and the team in the Civil Service and Parliament who worked to deliver it.

"The UK is rated as the best place in Europe for LGBT equality — but we cannot be complacent. There are subjects we must continue to tackle: not least taking a zero-tolerance approach to homophobic bullying, and caring for elderly members of the LGBT community. Rest assured, this Government will work tirelessly to make sure this happens." - British Prime Minister David Cameron, writing for the Standard.

BRITAIN: Hundreds Of Anti-Gay Marriage Activists Protest David Cameron

From the group's YouTube channel.

BRITAIN: Anti-Gay Group Distributes One Million Anti-Marriage Leaflets

Britain's Coalition For Marriage says it is distributing one million anti-gay leaflets to voters in the home districts of members of Parliament who are considered wobbly on supporting the government's plan to legalize same-sex marriage.

The leaflets were being delivered door to door, and campaigners had been handing them out on the streets of marginal constituencies in the south west, and plan to visit others ahead of the vote. The leaflets contain photographs and contact details of local MPs, with text urging voters to lobby them in a bid to have the legislation rejected when it comes to a vote in parliament, reports the Christian Institute.

This proved problematic last week, as Sarah Newton, the Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, said leaflets handed out in her area wrongly implied she supported the group. She said she was angry at the misrepresentation and intended to seek legal advice. Campaign director of C4M, Colin Hart, said: “Our local activists are fired up to oppose these undemocratic proposals from a Government that is increasingly looking out of touch with ordinary men and women.

LGBT activists claim that 330 MPs have indicated their support of Prime Minister David Cameron's plan, while only 126 have voiced their opposition. There are presently 650 members of Parliament. (Via Pink News)

BRITAIN: Marriage Support Surges

Public support for same-sex marriage has surged across Britain in just the last few months. The Guardian reports:

The ICM poll conducted just before Christmas found 62% of voters now support the proposals, with half this number – 31% – opposed. Most previous polls have found opinion leaning the same way, although the two-to-one margin revealed on Wednesday is particularly emphatic. An ICM online survey for the Sunday Telegraph in March asked the identical question – which expressly reminds people that the option of civil partnerships already exists for gay couples – and established a 45%-36% lead for the reformers. That significant hardening of opinion during the year will encourage Cameron, whose embrace of gay marriage has proved controversial, not only with religious leaders but also with the Tory backbench. And the new poll reveals a particularly significant swing towards the reform among the Tory base.

BRITAIN: Catholic Bishop Compares Same-Sex Marriage To Nazism

"Past generations have gathered in this cathedral on Christmas night amid many shadows which seemed to obscure the future for them. We think of the ideologies of the past century, Communism and Nazism, which in living memory threatened to shape and distort the whole future of humanity. These inhuman ideologies would each challenge in the name of progress the received Christian understanding of the sanctity of human life and the family. Winston Churchill, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, a man without clear, religious belief, saw in this deadly struggle nothing less than the defence of Christian civilisation.

"Few of our political leaders today appear to glimpse the deeper issues when the sanctity of human life and the very identity of marriage, the foundation of the family, are threatened. his Christmas we are also conscious of new shadows cast by a Government that was pledged at its election to support the institution of marriage. The Prime Minister has decided without mandate, without any serious consideration, to redefine the identity of marriage itself, the foundation of the family for all generations to come. This is again done in the name of progress. The British people have reason to ask on this night where is such progress leading?" - Bishop of Shrewsbury Mark Davies, from remarks released in advance of tonight's midnight mass in Britain.

BRITAIN: Same-Sex Marriage Bill Set To Be Introduced Next Year

Pink News has the latest word:

Same-sex couples in England and Wales are set to be allowed to marry, under plans announced today by Culture Secretary Maria Miller in the House of Commons. Following a government consultation, legislation allowing same-sex marriages will be brought forward next year. Although the Catholic Church and Church of England is opposed to equal marriage, faith groups such as the Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism support marriage rights for gay couples and have stated they would like to provide the ceremonies. Mrs Miller said the proposals are designed to create watertight protections for religious organisations that do not want to conduct same-sex marriages, but will allow them to ‘opt in’ if they so chose.

The House of Commons is continuing to argue about the details.  At this writing the Guardian is running a quite lively live-blog.  It appears that the consummation issue has been resolved:

Maria Miller expects same sex marriage law in place by early 2014 with 60 % of Tory MPs at present backing her plans. Bill in January. Any same sex marriage conducted by CoE vicar, if CoE collectively opposed to such marriages, will not be recognised in law. Grounds for divorce in a same sex marriage will include adultery, but non-consummation will not be grounds for annulling a same sex marriage. There are footnotes in consultation paper on same sex marriage about "lesser acts of sexual gratification" that are quite vivid for HMG.

And then there's this: