Gay rights in Britain

It would seem that open warfare has broken out in the British cabinet over the issue of gay rights. Ruth Kelly the Communities Secretary, who also has the equalities brief, has come under fire from colleagues for delaying the introduction of legislation that would prevent discrimination based on sexual preference in the provision of goods and services. Ms. Kelly, who had a stormy time as the Education Secretary, is a member of the starkly conservative and secretive Catholic group Opus Dei. She appears to be reluctant to impose this legislation on religious groups, including religious schools in the state sector, adoption agencies and Christian B&Bs. The Liberal Democrats have called for her to resign from the equalities brief because of her seeming inability to separate her religious beliefs from her public sector remit.

The bad news is that she appears likely to stay in the cabinet should Gordon Brown take over as PM.

The argument about infringing on religious groups apparently fragile sensitivities, some time known as prejudices, is remarkably similar to those often heard across the big water.