Madam, So many people who go on about the right to free speech show little concept, even if they preach liberality and tolerance, of the responsibility for restraint that goes with that right.

Stick to facts, if you know them. Here are a few:-

Marriage has been defined for thousands of years as the union between a man and a woman with a view to the production of children.

There is much evidence that this secure foundation of the family provides the best circumstances in which to raise the next generations of children. It is therefore a prerequisite for a stable and compassionate society.

Marriage as so defined has had the unflinching support of all major faith groups globally.'Civil Partnership' has already given homosexual couples equality before the law.

There is no manifesto commitment for a Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, no mandate for it: it is an abuse of our democratic system.

It also sadly appears to be a fact in this vastly more self-focused generation, that people of whatever sexuality think that marriage is intended as a guarantor of their personal self-fulfilment. Not the case. But on these new terms more people will find it easier to excuse themselves of their commitments. It will be children who suffer.

A few questions and answers:- Will society benefit? No. Will the Conservative Party benefit? Ridiculous. Will homosexuals benefit? Doubtful..it seems to have relit dying embers of extremism. Will anyone?

I don't need to claim God is on my side or quote from the bible. If I stick closely to facts I can discharge my responsibilities to others while claiming my right to free speech.

Michael Bushell, Sellack