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Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw faced a bitter backlash from the Tories after he claimed the party was still plagued by “homophobia”.
As up to a million people prepared for the Gay Pride march in London tomorrow, Mr Bradshaw claimed many Conservative MPs were still prejudiced.
But shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan said the minister was “stirring up hatred and division” and Labour was resorting to “desperate” tactics as research showed gay voters were switching to the Tories. In what Conservatives saw as a smear, Mr Bradshaw said “a deep strain of homophobia still exists on the Conservative benches”.
Gordon Brown sent a message to the Pride marchers last night, declaring that the Government had introduced civil partnerships “in the face of fierce opposition”. Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant added: “If gays vote Tory, they will rue the day very soon.”
But Mr Duncan — who with Nick Herbert is one of two gay shadow Cabinet ministers — hit back today. He said: “This is the last gasp of Labour's desperation. Bradshaw and Bryant are simply trying to stir up hatred and division from the last century and it's both unwarranted and unworthy.
“It's simply untrue. I believed we had reached the happy point where politics had been taken out of this altogether. But these remarks show that Labour is actually the nasty party.”
Both Mr Bradshaw and Mr Bryant are gay. The Prime Minister, whose wife will attend the Pride London event, last night praised campaigners for equal rights: “This Government is committed to standing at your shoulder in the fight for equality and we are guided by one very simple principle when it comes to LBGT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender) rights: you can't legislate love.”
In a symbolic gesture, Mr Cameron this week used a pre-march event to apologise for Section 28 — the law brought in by the Conservatives in 1988 banning local authorities from portraying homosexuality in a positive light.
Mr Cameron, the first Tory leader to speak at a gay pride event, said: “I am sorry for Section 28. We got it wrong. It was an emotional issue. I hope you can forgive us.”
Research by Jake, a networking organisation for gay professionals, showed 38 per cent of its members would vote Conservative at the next election. Labour came third on 20 per cent behind the Liberal Democrats.
Reader views (11)
Robert Early, Berlin, Germany - Nah mate, unlike some they appear to have moved on from the past.
- Rogan, Irving
It's simple: the labour party is the party of tax, waste and incompetence. Always has been, always will be.
- Chris, Brighton, England.
Best laugh i have had for a long time.Calm down dears, and stop throwing stones at each other.
- Alex., brighton
But it WAS the Tories, in the main, who brought in Clause 28 and who tried to block any equality legislation for gay people.
- Rose, London
I'll wager there are as many homosexuals on the Tory as on the Labour benches.
- Squiz, Islington
Bradshaw, quite simply, is an utter disgrace. But, no matter, both he and New Labour will soon be consigned to the dustbin of politica history.
- Ted, London
It's simple: the Conservative Party is the party of racism, sexism and homophobia. Always has been, always will be.
- Charlie, Soho, London
Shame on the 20% who choose Labour. Haven't we all suffered enough for you yet? Surely only masochists would vote for more Brown.
- Ethan, UK
Shame on the 38% of you voting Conservative. Do you have amnesia?
- Robert Early, Berlin, Germany
And there is no homophobia on Labour's benches ? Ha ha ha - pull the other one.
- Roy Grainger, London
When all else fails - accuse someone/some organisation on the basis of sex or race.
- Jeremy E, Home Counties
