The Christian Institute

Baroness O'Cathain put forward an amendment that would have given churches and religious bodies some protection from the effects of the Gender Recognition Bill.

On Tuesday 10 February 2004, the amendment was narrowly defeated in the House of Lords by 149 votes to 144.

Letters from Christian Institute supporters had a huge effect. Whilst we are very sad at the result, we are tremendously encouraged by the huge level of support in the Lords against a 'three line whip' imposed by the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats.

We are extremely grateful to those eleven Peers who defied the whip and the many more Labour Peers who expressed their disapproval by abstaining.

We are very saddened that three bishops voted against Lady O'Cathain (Manchester, Newcastle, Worcester) and that a further bishop spoke against the amendment before abstaining (Winchester).

The Bill now passes to the House of Commons.