-Caveat Lector- Monday, 29 July, 2002, 10:11 GMT 11:11 UK Does an MP's sexuality matter?
The shadow foreign affairs minister, Alan Duncan, has become the most senior sitting Conservative MP to publicly declare that he is gay. Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has reportedly welcomed and supported Mr Duncan's decision to reveal his sexuality. In an interview with the Times, Mr Duncan said that he had never kept his sexuality from friends and colleagues. However, he now felt that as a politician it was important for him to be honest with the public. Some Labour MPs are openly gay but Tory MPs who have been outed in the past have resigned or lost their seats. Do you agree with Alan Duncan's decision? Will it encourage political parties to become more inclusive and socially liberal? The cynic in me thinks that the timing of Alan Duncan's revelation has more to do with the struggle within the party Jeff Monk, UK As a gay male I feel it is important that we have some 'normalisation' of being gay, having leading figures come out is one way of this being achieved. I would hope this will also mean that the Tories review their position with regards to Section 28 and same sex adoption to show they truly are a modern thinking party. However the cynic in me thinks that the timing of Alan Duncan's revelation has more to do with the struggle within the party between the right wing and the modernisers. Jeff Monk, UK A man or woman's sexuality only becomes an issue when they attempt to gain advantage as a result. If we wish to treat everyone with equal respect then this must clearly also apply to homosexuality. Ian Stannard, UK It is very sad that some people cannot see beyond a "gay label". Mr Duncan has achieved a huge amount for both his constituency and the Conservative Party over the past fifteen years. To suggest now that he is being honest with his electorate that he is unsuitable to be an MP is laughable. He should be applauded not castigated. Matthew Brown, Rutland, UK His decision was his personal business - it wasn't necessary to announce it though, as it makes no difference to his ability to serve his post. It's not an issue - we're in the 21st century now, let's act like it. Ryan, Oxford, UK Our MPs are supposed to be representatives of all British citizens. A sizable proportion of British citizens are gay so why the big deal that an MP is? Good luck to him! Janine Eden, Birmingham, UK Well done to Mr Duncan Mark Brave move and well done to Mr Duncan. This should be a wake up call to the Tories, that bigotry has no place in society these days and political parties cannot be seen to support it. Mark I don't care what an MP's sexuality is, so long as they are honest and don't lie and vote in the House hypocritically!! Chris, England These days I can't think why it matters what someone's sexuality is. Personally, I don't walk around telling everyone I am heterosexual, so I can't see why anyone needs to say they are homosexual. It should be a private matter. Jean, England Congratulations to Mr Duncan for making his statement. No, of course it doesn't matter whether an MP is gay or not - it's what they do in Parliament that counts, not what they do in bed! Linda, UK <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
