David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate:

The consultation about how to redefine marriage is something of a surprise: prior to the announcement last October, I did not receive one letter, email or tweet demanding a change in the law.

The greatest demand has come from the ‘Coalition for Marriage’ which in just three weeks has amassed 200,000 supporters of the current definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

I have also received a demand from some to not speak up for marriage. Hate filled messages of bigotry, intolerance, and violent threats (including death) have strengthened my position that this debate is as much about freedom for people to express their belief as it is about equality.

...Another surprise is that already before a law change we have marriage being segregated between the concepts of 'civil marriage' and 'religious marriage'. I don't recall ever being invited to a 'civil' or 'religious' marriage but this is the new word play being constructed to redefine marriage. Whether a marriage takes place in your local registry office or church, the concept of marriage is a unified one - until now.

... As an MP I have broad shoulders and will not be intimidated by threats in expressing my views. However, I fear for other people’s freedoms if marriage is redefined; where teachers are being told what they should not only think but teach - even if it goes against their conscience. Teachers will be reading Orwell with new meaning. -- UK Telegraph