The new leader of the Liberal Democrats has been announced as Sir Vince Cable after no challengers stepped forward. So how gay-friendly is the new leader of the Lib Dems?
Votes on gay rights issues?
Generally speaking, Sir Vince Cable has voted positively on all laws that affect the LGBT+ community in the UK. He has a good history when it comes to his pro-gay rights voting history and has always voted in the positive – including reducing the age of consent and on the repeal of Section 28. He has never negatively voted on an LGBT+ rights issue.
Does Vince Cable have hang ups about gay sex like Tim Farron did?
It doesn’t seem that he does. He voted positively on reducing the age of consent for homosexual sex. He also voted on repealing the prohibitive Section 28. He also voted positively on allowing same-sex marriages and civil partnerships.
Has Vince Cable ever voted against gay rights?
According to TheyWorkForYou.com Vince Cable has never voted against LGBT+ rights, however, he has been absent from a number “less important votes. This means that he was present for all the big votes like the age of consent, the repeal of Section 28, Civil Partnerships and Same-sex marriage. He was absent for the following votes:
- On 10 Feb 1999: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill — Clause 1 — Age of Consent for Homosexual Acts Show vote
- On 1 Mar 1999: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill — Third Reading Show vote
- On 10 Feb 2000: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill Show vote
- On 9 Nov 2004: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Categories of civil partners other than same sex couples Show vote
- On 9 Nov 2004: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Civil Partnerships Bill [Lords] — Third Reading
- On 20 May 2008: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill — Fertility treatment requires father and mother — rejected Show vote
- On 20 May 2008: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill — Fertility treatment requires male role model — rejected
- On 5 Feb 2013: incent Cable was absent for a vote on Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — (Carry-over)
- On 5 Mar 2014: Vincent Cable was absent for a vote on Amendments to Acts of Parliament in Light of the Introduction of Same Sex Marriage in Parts of the UK
Keeping Sir Vince on Track on LGBT+ issues
Speaking to THEGAYUK the LGBT+ Lib Dem group said that Sir Vince would keep the Liberal Democrats at the “forefront of LGBT+ equality”. They also said they would work with him to work on PrEP availability, transgender rights and the situation in Chechnya.
