There was extensive newspaper reporting prior to the Lib Dem conference on Saturday past that the UK government will begin a formal consultation on equal civil marriage for same-sex couples with a view to making the necessary legislative changes before the next general election. Links to the main UK newspaper reports follow.
Alan Travis in The Guardian: Gay and lesbian marriage to be considered in spring legal review –
“Consultation will only cover civil marriage for same-sex couples, not religious weddings – nor heterosexual civil partnerships.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/17/gay-lesbian-marriage-in-prospect
Christopher Hope in The Telegraph: Gays to be given right to marry
– “Plans to give same-sex couples the right to marry will be published next year, ministers have announced.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8769845/Gays-to-be-given-right-to-marry.html
Jonathan Brown in The Independent: Hope for new law to allow gay marriage
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hope-for-new-law-to-allow-gay-marriage-2356168.html
Daniel Martin and Tim Shipman in the Mail Online: Gay marriage ‘to be made legal in Britain by 2015’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2038427/Gay-marriage-legal-Britain-2015.html
Gavin Cordon in The Scotsman: Same-sex marriage may be on statute book soon
http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Samesex-marriage-may-be-on.6837832.jp