The gay marriage vote in the House of Commons has resulted in a resounding victory for the proponents of same-sex marriage, with MPs voting in support of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill by 400 to 175. 136 Conservative MPs, nearly 50% of the Conservative parliamentary presence, rejected the gay marriage bill, championed by PM David Cameron and his Liberal Democrat deputy, Nick Clegg. David Cameron greeted the gay marriage vote as an important step forward while Labour chief, Ed Miliband, welcomed the vote in favour of gay marriage as a proud day.

MPs were allowed a free vote on the gay marriage bill, applicable to England and Wales, signifying that they were not commanded to vote a specific way by Party whips. Their decision to endorse the gay marriage bill at second reading means that they approve of it in theory. The UK gay marriage legislation will now obtain more elaborate parliamentary inspection. The bill will enable same-sex couples, who are currently able to have civil partnerships, to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies. The latter needs, however, the agreement of religious institutions.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg has remarked that the gay marriage vote represented a landmark for social equality. David Cameron reacted on Twitter to the gay marriage vote result by voicing that strong opinions exist on both sides of the divide.

Ed Miliband has expressed that an overwhelming proportion of Labour MPs backed the gay marriage bill to make certain that the modern institution of marriage reflects the value that the party places on long-term, loving relationships, regardless of sexual preferences.

Among the Conservative detractors of the gay marriage bill, there were two Cabinet Ministers, Owen Paterson (Environment Secretary) and David Jones (Welsh Secretary). There were eight junior Ministers and eight whips among the opponents too.

Conservative MP David Burrowes, who rejected the bill, envisaged that it would encounter considerable opposition in the House of Lords. Ex-Conservative International Security Strategy Minister, Sir Gerald Howarth, has remarked that the Coalition had no popular authorisation for such an immense sociocultural change.