The purpose of the Northern Ireland (Formation of Executive) Bill, currently before Parliament, is to extend the period for forming an Executive under s.1(1) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018 until 21 October 2019, with the possibility of a further extension to 13 January 2020. During the committee stage of the Bill, the Committee of the whole House voted – at least in principle – to extend both same-sex marriage and access to abortion to Northern Ireland: you can read the debate here.

The Committee voted by 383 to 73 to add New Clause 1 (Marriage of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland), moved by Conor McGinn (St Helens North) (Lab), to the Bill. as follows: Continue reading →