Tuesday, October 15, 2002

A story published today by the Guardian reports that the British government’s move to allow same-sex couples the right to adopt children may be blocked in a House of Lords vote tomorrow.

Peers are being urged by to vote against a proposal in the adoption and children bill to open adoption rights to all couples, including same-sex partners and heterosexual cohabitees.

Opponents argue that reform would undermine marriage and risk moving children from institutional care into unstable relationships.

The adoption bill, whose core aim is to increase the number of adopted children amid concern that suitable would-be adoptive parents are frequently rejected, reaches report stage in the Lords tomorrow after clearing the Commons despite Tory opposition to adoption outside marriage.

Peers have a free vote on the issue of adoption by same-sex and cohabiting couples, though Conservative peers will be under a whip to attend.

Opponents of reform say they have cross-party support, and believe they have a chance of striking out the amendment, although the government could opt to reinstate it.

Lady O'Cathain argues that there is no shortage of suitable married couples seeking to adopt children, making the extension of categories of adoptive parents unnecessary.

The real motive behind the change was the downgrading of marriage, she claimed.

"It means that marriage is no longer seen as the basis for good family life for bringing up children... it is really trying to use this bill for social engineering to write out marriage."

Cohabiting couples were 6.5 times more likely to split up than married partners, according to government figures, she said.