Nine Kent MPs voted against a gay marriage bill

by political editor Paul Francis

It was hailed as an important step for the country by David Cameron, but nine of his MPs in Kent did not back the introduction of gay marriage in the historic House of Commons vote last night.

Those Kent MPs with government jobs all supported the bill - Ashford MP
Damian Green, Maidstone and Weald MP Helen Grant, Tunbridge Wells MP
Greg Clark and Faversham and Mid Kent MP Hugh Robertson.

But party vice chairman and Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon voted against as
did eight others.

The repercussions of the vote continued today, with some questioning
whether the Prime Minister's authority had been damaged.

More Conservative MPs voted against than did in favour of the bill.

Those Kent MPs voting against were:

• Julian Brazier (Canterbury)
• Charlie Elphicke (Dover and Deal)
• Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks)
• Sir Roger Gale (Thanet North)
• Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham)
• Gareth Johnson (Dartford)
• Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)
• Adam Holloway (Gravesham)
• Sir John Stanley (Tunbridge and Malling)

Those voting in favour were:

• Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells)
• Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe)
• Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford)
• Helen Grant (Maidstone)
• Damian Green (Ashford)
• Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood)
• Hugh Robertson (Faversham and Kent Mid)
• Laura Sandys (Thanet South)

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would allow gay couples to wed in both civil and religious ceremonies, where the religious setting had consented.

Couples already in a civil partnership could convert their union into a marriage.

The government could still face problems as the bill passes through Parliament.