Sir,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our two local MPs for having the sense to vote against the same sex marriage bill. It took courage and displayed the sort of wisdom that we need in those we elect to public office.

Whether they know it or not, those who voted in favour of the bill are seeking to reduce marriage to just another lifestyle choice - like fashion or joining a club. But the problem with introducing free market thinking to marriage is that it is changed from a unique social institution that is primarily about children to just another contractual agreement between consenting adults.

The government and its unlikely - or should I say unholy alliance with those on both sides of the chamber - has no right and no mandate to privatise marriage. Civil partnerships will eventually have to be opened to heterosexual couples; individual rights claims will inevitably erode most of the so-called protections for religious groups; and multiple forms of marriage will begin to appear thereby undermining the institution itself. And yet we have been given no opportunity to debate this openly as a nation.

The majority of people who died on the Titanic did so because those in charge were wilfully blind to the consequences of their actions. It was no different with the invasion of Iraq. I reckon that this is the time to challenge the Prime Minister and all those MPs who voted with him to think again. Their present course is not only misguided it will have disastrous consequences for us as a society.

Rob James,

Pastor,

Westgate Evangelical Chapel,