As the vote on same-sex marriage approaches I appeal to the leaders of both parties to allow their members a free vote as befits a democratic country.

There is a moral issue involved here. Members of Parliament should not be forced to vote against their conscience. Even a big country like Germany allowed its parliamentarians a free vote onthis issue.

The fact that the proposed law was approved on their manifesto does not make it untouchable. I’m sure that many voters who believe in marriage as being between a man and a woman will remember this moment of truth.

The two main parties, in falling all over themselves to appear more liberal will lose a substantial number of core supporters who have the right values at heart when the next election comes.

You don’t play around with our consciences. You stand to lose our vote.