Ukip ready to exploit gay marriage tensions

The government's policy of pushing ahead with gay marriage is tearing the Tory party apart, according to Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

Many Conservative MPs have revealed their local party membership has strong objections to allowing gay marriage ceremonies and more members are even leaving in protest.

Farage claimed there is a gulf between rural and urban voters on the issue and that traditional Conservatives were feeling disillusioned by the policy.

"David Cameron's proposal has the potential to rip apart the traditional rural Tory vote," Farage told the Guardian.

"While Ukip wholly respects the rights of gay people to have civil partnerships, we feel the prime minister's proposals will present an affront to millions of people in this country for whom this will be the final straw."

Some have accused Ukip of opportunism, as opposing gay marriage appears contradictory to the libertarianism the party often preaches.

But party chairman Steve Crowther told politics.co.uk: "As a libertarian party we have no objection to gay marriage per se, but we are opposed to the bill.

"Libertarianism is about balancing people's rights. To deliver virtually no new rights at all for gay people the government is steamrolling those of religious people.

"They are picking a fight with millions of people of many faith communities for no benefit."

Over 100 Conservative MPs had planned to vote against the bill, which has strong support from Liberal Democrats and most Labour MPs.

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Ukip ready to exploit gay marriage tensions