Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

In 2004, I voted enthusiastically for the Civil Partnership Bill. The right hon. Lady did not at that time—I am sure that she had good reasons. That measure gave full equality in the eyes of the law for people in same-sex relationships. Were either of us homophobic for not going for full marriage at the time? What exactly has happened in the past nine years? Is not the problem that we need to address not a lack of equality in the law, but a lack of equality, in some people’s eyes, in society? Just changing the name of a ceremony will not address that.