by Cary Gee
House of Commons leader Harriet Harman and her team of ministers spent much of the Labour conference talking up the Equality Bill, one of this Parliament’s most ambitious pieces of legislation.
Those in the conference hall and at a host of fringe meetings were left in no doubt that Ms Harman, with the full support of the Prime Minister, considers the success of the bill, which the Conservatives have consistently voted against, as key to the Government’s legislative programme.
However, Solicitor General Vera Baird conceded that some last-minute “tweaking” of the legislation may be necessary before it receives royal assent.
There is still considerable unease in some sections of the Labour Party about the exemptions afforded to religious groups and faith schools in particular. Some Government members, including equalities minister Maria Eagle, are said to be unhappy about the perception that one person’s religion, which can be adopted, should take precedence over another’s person’s sexuality, which is seen as inherent.
Ms Baird herself has voiced concerns that “the line between faith and sexuality might not have been drawn in quite the right place”.
Concerns have also been raised that people entering civil partnerships are still treated differently to those in a traditional marriage.
Employers’ groups have also called for a clarification of exemptions that were included in the 2003 Employment Act.
Despite these obstacles and the continuing opposition of the Tories, who, in Ms Harman’s words, “just don’t get equality”, Labour’s deputy leader reamins optimistic that the bill will become law in the time remaining before the general election.
About The Author
