Vote for (bigoted) change?

You may have heard in the press that Conservative MP & Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling thinks that christian B&B owners should be allowed to refuse service to gay couples. Frankly I find this idea incredibly bizarre - apart from being discriminatory, how on earth is it consistent with any other rule or law we have in this country? I have to disagree with commentators who think that people with these views should be allowed to exercise them as they will soon go out of business - I fail to see how easy it is to spot that a B&B landlord is a massive homophobe unless you happen to be the stranded vitim of their bigotry. Or are we to back to a time when B&B had signs hanging in their windows that said "no coloureds" ("no gays")? If the laws in the country condone these views, then fewer people will challenge discriminatory views like this, and it will remain acceptable. Our country's leaders should lead the way, not brush the issue under the carpet. What sort of example does this set to young gay people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality? Or gay people of any age experiencing discrimination because of their sexual orientation? Awesome way to boost self-esteem there.

The Conservatives, at the time of writing, have not mentioned the continued tenability of Mr Grayling's position in the party, although calls for his resignation are becoming louder. You can sign a petition to add to those voices - here is my response below:

I am quite stunned that views like this do not constitute grounds for dismissal - MPs and parliamentary candidates have resigned/been sacked for much lesser issues, that have no bearing on their public life or work (eg having an affair). Chris Grayling's comments are wholly offensive and inconsistent with anti-discrimination laws - where will it stop? Muslim B&B owners will have the right to refuse entry to white christians? Jewish B&B owners will have the right to refuse unmarried couples?



The Conservatives' silence over Mr Grayling's comments inherently condones his views during the run up to the election, when MPs, candidates and party members must be seen to be promoting their party's policies. Mr Grayling must be sacked, or The Conservatives become the party of discrimination, not just against gays, but against any minority group that a conservative politician takes a dislike to. Please remember, just as it's not ok to be racist, it's not ok to be homophobic either.