Tomorrow is the critical Second Reading of the government's bill with a possible vote at 7 pm to legally change the definition of marriage as understood, believed and practised throughout history and across cultures and the all the major faith traditions. Despite serious concerns expressed by ourselves, as well as the senior faith leaders of the country such as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Catholic Bishops in England and Wales, the coalition government is pressing ahead with an early vote.

It is imperative that in these last few hours we do what we can. Since it is a free vote, we must phone or email our MP's, both as organisations and individual constituents, to ask them to vote against what we believe to be an ill-conceived and unnecessary piece of legislation which is being rushed through. This bill was not in any of the parties' manifesto.

The MCB stands opposed to discrimination in all its forms, including homophobia. Although the government base this bill on grounds of ‘equality’, it does not require us to define different things by the same term. Marriage has always been between a man and a woman and is something that does not need to be redefined.

Please arrange for your members to phone or email your MP now and ask him/her to oppose the marriage bill at its Second Reading.

You can contact your MP through here.

Please act now.