Anti-gay marriage MP made minister for equalities, education

Tory MP Nicky Morgan, who voted against same-sex marriage last year, has been promoted to Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities as part of David Cameron’s Cabinet reshuffle today (July 15).

The MP for Loughborough will now be responsible for the government’s equalities brief and schools policy, despite voting against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act at second and third reading last year.

Morgan has served as Minister for Women since April, when former Minister for Women and Equalities Maria Miller resigned following a row over expenses. The equalities brief was originally given to Culture Secretary Sajid David when Morgan took over the role – the first time the position had been separated since its creation in 1987. Downing Street confirmed today (July 15), however, that equalities has now been added to Morgan’s ministerial portfolio.

After becoming one of the 175 MPs to vote against same-sex marriage last year, Morgan explained that her decision had been a matter of “conscience”.

“First, this is a very big social change. There have been plenty of little changes down the years but what’s never been changed is that the fact that marriage is between a man and a woman,” the 41-year-old said at the time.

“I think that was one of the issues people, especially those who asked me to vote against, found hardest to accept and it also tied in with my own Christian faith too.

“I totally support civil partnerships and that same-sex relationships are recognised in law. But marriage, to me, is between a man and a woman.”

Downing Street have also confirmed confirmed that the Government Equalities Office will now move from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to the Department of Education, following Morgan’s replacement of Michael Gove as Education Secretary.

Junior Conservative minister Nick Boles, who is gay, has been given specific responsibilities for same-sex marriage and LGBT equality.