Editorial: A welcome step towards gay marriage

It is, of course, a dangerous thing to count one's chickens before they are hatched. But the hints that David Cameron and Nick Clegg are to expedite legislation allowing same-sex marriage are cause for celebration, nonetheless.

Even with opponents on the Tory right lining up to cause trouble, the prospects are promising. The Prime Minister is unlikely to be able to avoid the concession that Conservative MPs can "vote with their consciences" on the matter. But backing from both the Liberal Democrats and Labour ought to be enough to push the measure through.

Statutory provision for same-sex marriage would not only be a victory for those who might wish to use it; it would be a victory for Britain as a liberal society. As such, every step closer is to be warmly welcomed.