Brighton & Hove plays key role in civil partnership success

3.59.29pm GMT Wed 24th Nov 2004

The House of Lords has voted to allow Civil Partnerships in the final vote on the bill.

Same-sex couples across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will now be allowed to register their relationship and be legally recognised for the first time. Scotland is expected to adopt the laws in the near future.

Lord Anthony Lester, Liberal Democrat Peer, today hailed the passing of the Civil Partnerships Bill as "a landmark on the long march towards equality for all."

Lord Lester who introduced similar measures in his Private Member's Bill on Civil Partnerships to the House of Lords two years ago said:

"This Bill gives effect to core Liberal Democrat policy unanimously approved in conference three years ago.

"It is a famous victory for everyone who believes in equal justice under law.  Gay and lesbian men and women will now be able to obtain legal recognition and protection under law.  They will have responsibilities as well as rights in the same way as married couples.

"This is a landmark in the long march towards equality for all."

Brighton & Hove Lib Dem City Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'This is truly great news. At last this major step of equality has been made. So many have campaigned for so long to achieve this and finally we have won the battle.

'This will mean so much to many couples in the City. Brighton and Hove led the debate on this.'

Paul Elgood proposed the City's hugely popular Partnership Register, which has seen many couples register their partnerships their home City. Paul always argued that this would show the demand for such legislation to follow.