bbc.co.uk navigation

5 February 2013 Last updated at 13:13

MPs vote yes to same-sex marriage

Exchanging of wedding rings

MPs have voted to allow same-sex marriages.

400 MPs voted yes and 175 voted no, to allow a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman.

Same-sex couples in England and Wales can currently have a civil partnership.

A civil partnership offers similar legal rights, but isn't exactly the same as marriage. If this vote becomes a law it means same-sex couples will be able to get married in a church.

The Prime Minister David Cameron wants the marriage plans to go ahead in England and Wales, but it's causing big divisions in his own Conservative Party as many of his own MPs don't agree and 136 voted against it.

Even though the vote has gone through, there's still a way to go before same-sex marriage becomes law.

More on This Story

  • Watch NewsroundWatch Newsround

    Watch the latest update from Newsround, CBBC's news programme for children.

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.