As Luke Skywalker would say, ‘almost there…’

Labour candidate David Miliband’s campaign got in touch just a few minutes ago to say that he has just written about his support for gay marriage.

He says:

During recent hustings and conversations with people around the country and on Twitter and Facebook, the issue of gay marriage has been raised on several occasions.

See I told you all this online campaigning works.

He adds:

We equalised the age of consent, scrapped the homophobic Section 28 and created civil partnerships. Because of our legislation some 33,956 civil partnerships have been registered across the country – over 500 in British Embassies abroad.

But it is an anomaly that gay couples – although they can call each other husband or wife – can’t say they are married. Canada and Argentina have shown the way forward.That’s why I support calls to change the definition of marriage to include exclusive relationships between couples, regardless of sex. This will mean gay couples will be able to describe themselves as married.

This does not force change in religious practice. I support the Labour amendment to the Equalities Act which made provision for religious communities to officiate civil partnerships but only if they felt appropriate. Under a new definition of marriage, the situation should to be the same. We should not force churches, mosques and synagogues to officiate over gay marriages but equally we shouldn’t stop those who want to.

Gay marriage is the logical next step in our mission for equality, but is just one part of our approach. Homophobia remains too common, including in schools. I want to tackle prejudices in law and in practice so we are always standing up for equal rights.

I welcome David Miliband’s support on this issue.

Your mission lefties, should you choose to accept it, is to now ask Ed Miliband (wherever you see him) why he’s the only Labour candidate not to support gay marriage.

1. Steve Evans

   Delighted @DMilliband has seen the light http://bit.ly/cOPYrG after months of hedging and non-commital, well done. (via @libcon) @JaeKay

2. Ben Cooper

   RT @libcon: D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage http://bit.ly/cOPYrG

3. Emma

   RT @libcon: D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage http://bit.ly/cOPYrG

4. Axel Hotels

   D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy http://bit.ly/9IYnCJ

5. Mike Smith

   D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy http://bit.ly/bhqcTK

6. Jae Kay

   RT @NotEvsie: Delighted @DMilliband has seen the light http://bit.ly/cOPYrG after months of hedging and non-commital, well done. (via @ …

7. Colette Booth

   RT @NotEvsie: Delighted @DMilliband has seen the light http://bit.ly/cOPYrG after months of hedging and non-commital, well done. (via @ …

8. Colette Booth

   Now we need @ed_miliband on side on this too http://bit.ly/cOPYrG

9. Jo Pastner

   D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy: Gay marriage is the logical next step in o… http://bit.ly/dBSrY4

10. Carol Fransisca

    D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy http://bit.ly/dBSrY4

11. frieda

    D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy: Gay marriage is the logical next step in o… http://bit.ly/dBSrY4

12. Daniel Walker

    David Miliband supports gay marriage, making me like him in the process http://bit.ly/9yfFbY

13. andrew

    D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy: D-Miliband also confirms support for gay m… http://bit.ly/9br9H4

14. Mike Smith

    D-Miliband also confirms support for gay marriage | Liberal Conspiracy http://bit.ly/9IYnCJ

15. Nessa Carson

    http://bit.ly/dyGRca Mili-D also finally has shown his support for gay marriage equality.