Gloria De Piero MP Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, responding to the Government withdrawing the regulations and making amendments to allow couples to convert their civil partnerships into marriage with a ceremony in a venue of their choice, said:

“It’s good news that after the sustained pressure from Labour Peers the Government has finally listened to Labour’s calls and agreed to go away and rethink its proposals.

"For many couples across the country this moment will be as special as getting married for the first time and I’m glad that the Government has seen sense and decided to change the procedure so that couples can have the ceremony they’ve been long looking forward to.”