Former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable has disclosed what can only be described as a slightly confusing view on gay marriage in a response to one of his constituents. We can't link you to it directly, since it appeared in the Daily Telegraph - the print edition but not online.

In his letter, he wrote: “On the issue of same–sex marriage, my own personal view is that the status quo is fine, with same–sex couples being able to commit in a civil partnership...However, if there is a confrontation over the issue it is difficult to explain why a civil partnership cannot be called a civil marriage and if it comes to a vote I would vote in favour of same–sex civil marriage.”