Lib Dems welcome Civil Partnership Bill

10.15.39am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd Apr 2004

Brighton and Hove has led the debate for equality

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Brighton and Hove have welcomed the launch of the new Civil Partnership Bill. The measures will allow legal recognition for gay couples for the first time.

The Bill gives the legal rights to same-sex couples who register their partnership at a civil ceremony. It means same-sex couples will be entitled to a range of property rights, the same exemption as married couples on inheritance tax, social security and pension benefits, and also the ability to get parental responsibility for a partner's children. Gay couples would not have to live together for a certain length of time to be eligible for the rights and if the partnership breaks up, there would be a formal court process for dissolving it.

Councillor Paul Elgood, Lib Dem City Council Group Leader and councillor for Brunswick & Adelaide ward said:

'This is great news and good progress. At last the issue of joint rights are firmly on the Parliamentary agenda. With Government support we can look forward to the Bill becoming law and the end of a long fought battle for equal partnership rights. Let us hope that this critical Bill can be supported by all MPs and Peers including all Conservative Members of Parliament.

'This battle has been fought over many decades, let us hope that soon we can take this important step forward.'

Councillor Paul Elgood has been a strong voice in the campaign for partnership rights. He initiated the City's successful Partnership Register which at the time he called 'the first step to full equal recognition'.