Guildford MP Angry That Coalition For Marriage Leaflet Bears Her Photo

Published on: 31 Jan, 2013
Updated on: 2 Feb, 2013

Part of the Coalition for Marriage’s leaflet that bears Anne Milton MP’s photo (see full version below)

Guildford MP Anne Milton is very angry that a leaflet, campaigning against same sex marriages and which bears her photograph, is being circulated in Guildford.

The leaflet is being distributed by the Coalition for Marriage. It urges recipients to contact their MP, Anne Milton, gives her full contact details including telephone number and email and suggests what they should say, including: “People will be punished for believing in traditional marriage,” and “The government says churches and religious premises won’t be forced to host gay weddings but can anyone trust these promises, especially if European judges get involved.”

Ms Milton said: “I am not happy that the Coalition for Marriage used my photograph on their leaflet. This leaflet is not from me. I have twice spoken to the Coalition for Marriage and written to them to ask them repeatedly not to deliver the leaflet in my constituency because it is causing residents to believe (mistakenly) that it is from me”.

A spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage said: “In no way does the leaflet say that the MP agrees or disagrees with changing the definition of marriage. All it does is urge the constituents to contact her and engage in a dialogue on the issue.

“It is unfortunate that Anne Milton is complaining but she is one of only three MPs who have complained and the leaflets have gone out in at least 65 constituencies throughout the country. They also bear photographs.

“We will be continuing to distribute the leaflets. None of the photographs are copyrighted, they are all in the public domain.”

In reply to Anne Milton’s specific concern that constituents are being misled, the spokesman said: “I think that is completely false. No one has ever said that Anne Milton has a view on this either way.”

The flip side of the leaflet with Anne Milton's photo

The leaflet that is being distributed in Guildford by the Coalition for Marriage

The flip side of the leaflet which bears Anne Milton’s photo

Responses to Guildford MP Angry That Coalition For Marriage Leaflet Bears Her Photo

Pauline Surrey Reply

January 31, 2013 at 1:01 pm

Yes, this leaflet made me very angry, and I can understand Anne’s anger – I did think they had a cheek putting Anne’s photo on it, as it might well mislead some readers. Who are behind this coalition for marriage thing anyway?
Bernard Parke Reply

January 31, 2013 at 4:10 pm

I am sure that I am not alone when I say that we receive far too many of these kind of unsolicited mail which drops through the letter boxes these days.

I find that perhaps the most annoying are the following:

1) We have a client who wants to buy your house and we will give a free valuation of its value

2) We invite you to visit our care home on such and such a date

3) Have you made provision for your funeral?

These of course go straight into the re-cycling box at the front gate.

In the case in question I can understand our M.P’s. comment.

These circulars are not read through thoroughly and I know from comments made to me that people believe that Anne Milton is directly connected with this particular cri de coeur.

Surely it is not unreasonable in this case to concede to the lady’s request.
Jim Allen Reply

February 2, 2013 at 11:35 pm

Every one is missing the point of this debate. The real question is what is any political party doing bringing forth a bill with was not on their mandate prior to election?

Not one party has a mandate to bring forth this change of the definition of this extremely ancient word ‘marriage’ and if the supporters win what word shall we use to define a joining of a male and female to further the species?

Changing the meaning of an international word for the sake of 0.00001% of the population while upsetting the other 99.99999% seems a strange way to run a country – unless if is the New EU way of promoting birth control…..
Bernard Parke Reply

February 4, 2013 at 12:26 pm

Jim Allen is quite right.

Why any party should get involved in this quest is beyond belief?

It would seem that they have a death wish.

“Divine Wind” [Kamikaze] comes to mind.

Will they never learn?
Bronwen Salter-Murison Reply

February 5, 2013 at 4:55 pm

I live in Guildford and received this leaflet through the door today. I wonder who paid for it and where the money came from?

I have written to Anne Milton urging her to do something about this situation.

The actions of “Guildford for Marriage” or the “Coalition for Marriage” – whatever they call themselves – in trying to present their campaign as officially backed by our local MP shows the poverty of their ethics. It’s a really sneaky way to behave.

I think what they’ve done is outrageous, and Anne Milton should sue them.
Bronwen Salter-Murison Reply

February 5, 2013 at 8:30 pm

Jim Allen asks:”Not one party has a mandate to bring forth this change of the definition of this extremely ancient word ‘marriage’ and if the supporters win what word shall we use to define a joining of a male and female to further the species?”

The term “copulation” has done us proud for centuries, Jim.

Anyone who thinks “marriage” has always meant the same thing would do well to Google “history of marriage”. For many, many centuries marriages were made essentially between families: bride and groom were often what we’d consider children, and had little or no say in who they wed.

This applied to those with land or money. During the Industrial Revolution the urban poor, though they formed families, often did not trouble themselves with legalities. Marriage contracts were for those with property to leave.

Our modern marriages, romantic partnerships freely entered into by adults without family pressure, are just that: modern.

There is a long history of same-sex unions. Google the phrase if you doubt me or visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_same-sex_unions