DAVID Cameron and the Conservative Party have suddenly brought the subject of legal marriage for lesbian and homosexual couples on to the political stage – why? No mention of this idea appeared in the manifestos of any of the parties before the General Election. It sounds a very un-Tory-like policy.

Are they hoping to get the votes of people who would never consider voting Conservative? Are Cameron and co offering this “radical” idea to appease the Liberal Democrats and to get them to drop their opposition to the Health Bill and other NHS changes?

Cameron claims there will be a 12-week “consultation” period, but his party has made it plain they intend making these same-sex marriages possible and with full legal rights.

Many church and religious groups are very much against this new law, but probably the vast majority of the general public could not care less, one way or another.

David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Acomb, York.