Silent minority

From: The Evening Standard (London, England) | Date: February 11, 2000 | Copyright information

THERE IS nothing like a debate on homosexuality for bringing out the cowardice in our MPs. With the Government determined to lower the age of homosexual consent from 18 to 16, despite polls showing that the public is highly sceptical on the issue, it is not surprising that MPs should think hard before casting their vote. But the fact that almost 300 should simply fail to turn up at all suggests feeblemindedness on a remarkable scale. Never did the term "issue of conscience" appear more ironic: the absent honourable members' lack of conscience is startling. Evidently, Mr William Hague ...

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