London, March 26, 2012
 |
Organisers claimed that their petition had become the biggest public campaign since the 2010 election.
It highlights the support for the traditional definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, they said.
Earlier this month, the Government proposed redefining civil marriage laws so that the term can apply to civil unions between same-sex couples. There will be no change to religious marriage.
Senior Conservatives, including ministers, have joined Christian leaders in opposing the proposals.
The leader of Britain’s Sikh organisations said the proposal was an “assault on religion” while the country’s largest Muslim grouping has also voiced its opposition.
The Coalition 4 Marriage set up a petition against the plan, which has so far attracted more than 300,200 signatures. The group is calling on the Government to retain the current definition of marriage as the voluntary union between one man and one woman for life.
Colin Hart, the campaign director, said the surge in support since the Government began its consultation was further evidence of the unpopularity of the proposal.
“There has been a staggering response to the petition, launched last month, which shows just how many ordinary men and women care about this issue,” he said.
“I hope the Government will consider the growing opposition to its proposals, which are being pushed without the British people being given an opportunity to make their views clear.”
