tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654455663519806899.post5142059096869178688..comments2023-11-09T02:43:59.293-08:00Comments on Christian Medical Comment: Tim Loughton MP's letter to constituents about why he opposed the redefinition of marriagePeter Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17222354018504253042noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654455663519806899.post-21613013800248335002013-02-08T16:43:21.013-08:002013-02-08T16:43:21.013-08:00Hi Tim, Whilst I am disappointed in your decision ...Hi Tim, Whilst I am disappointed in your decision to oppose Equal marriage may I take a moment to thank you for the respectful and engaging tone in which you have made your opposition to Equal marriage clear.<br /><br />I believe that we need to remember that this legislation is not about "interfering" in religious freedom but actually the state removing its self from the status quo where it quite strongly interferes in the institution of marriage where religions even if they wish are not able to carry out same sex ceremonies. As a conservative i fundamentally believe in the values of freedom and specifically religious freedom and something we should be promoting in our legislative and social agenda.<br /><br />I also believe as a Human Rights and Equality adviser that there is no risk of ECHR intervention on the matter, in fact the current case law and judgement statements indicate that the ECHR has no remit in this area and his no political or legal will to look to intervene on states autonomy when it comes to marriage and same sex issues. Using "past" Judicial acitivism in other areas to suggest that the ECHR will jump in and force churches to carry out ceremonies is just bad understanding of human rights law and the workings of the ECHR. In all cases where the ECHR can be accused of Judicial activism there is a legal commentary, a trail of case law directing towards where the judges are heading. In regards to Equal marriage there are none of these factors and as I have mention in fact the opposite is true, with commentary and case law backing up non intervention.<br /><br />Equal Marriage will also help eliminate one of the tragedies of the Labour introduction of Civil Partnerships where they ignored transgender people and failed to deal with the issue of what happened to their marriages when they went to legally change their gender. Currently before a trans person is allowed to change their gender and be the person they truly are they have to go through the traumatic and distressing experience of telling the person they love they have to get an "annulment" to their marriage. This can leave trans people isolated, damage or destroy relationships and is counter productive to the principle of marriages altogether. The changes in the law will mean that a couple who are in love will be able to stay together in matrimony despite a trans person changing their gender ending the upset and distress the current situation causes.<br /><br />I am a conservative, I joined over a year ago thanks to the direction David Cameron has lead the party and the diversity and values the party has shown. I have always been economically Conservative but some of the fears about how diverse and understanding the party was of equality made it difficult for me to consider supporting the party. I am glad times has changed and that people like me can feel proud to call themselves a conservative and hopefully next year stand for office as a conservative Councillor. <br /><br />I value that the party is a broad church and that strength that brings us and I think diverse opinions are important if society is ever to make progress but id ask you to think again taking into account the points ive made about our views on Equal Marriage.<br /><br />Kind Regards<br /><br />Tara Hewitt<br /> Tara Hewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12222263703149231201noreply@blogger.com