Story highlights British MPs vote in favor of the bill, 400-175 
 
 To become law, it has to clear more hurdles, including a vote in the House of Lords 
 
 Prime Minister David Cameron faces revolt within his own Conservative Party on the issue 
 
 UK lawmakers took a big step Tuesday toward legalizing same-sex marriage, an issue that has prompted widespread rebellion within Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party. 
 
 In a 400-175 vote, MPs approved the second reading of a bill legalizing such marriage, indicating a significant majority of members support the measure. However, it must go through several more stages before it can become law. 
 
 The bill faces another vote in the House of Commons and a vote in the House of Lords. 
 
 Before Tuesday's vote, three top party members appealed to Conservative MPs to get behind the controversial legislation in a letter published in the Telegraph newspaper. 
 
 The letter, signed by Chancellor George Osborne, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Home Secretary Theresa May, said that passing the bill is "the right thing to do at the right time." 
 
 The institution of marriage has evolved over time, the letter said, while "attitudes towards gay people have changed." 
 
 In a direct appeal to fellow party members, the trio added: "We believe that opening it up to same-sex couples will strengthen, not weaken, the institution. As David Cameron has said, we should support gay marriage not in spite of being Conservatives, but because we are Conservatives." 
 
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 Their attitude was echoed by Kate Green, a Labour MP, during debate. Tuesday's reading was the first opportunity for lawmakers in the House of Commons to debate the bill in detail. 
 
 "By recognizing and extending the definition of marriage to reflect today's greater openness towards, and recognition of, same-sex relationships, the legislation does not weaken the institution of marriage. On the contrary, it takes it forward, it strengthens it. It helps to perpetuate it," she said. 
 
 The legislation passed the House of Commons with the support of lawmakers from Labour and the Liberal Democrats. The latter are in a coalition government with the Conservatives. 
 
 As drafted, the bill would enable religious organizations to choose to conduct same-sex marriages if they wish and includes provisions intended to make sure no religious organization or person is forced to do so. 
 
 The Church of England is among the religious bodies opposed to the legislation. 
 
 The bill would also allow same-sex couples to convert a civil partnership to a marriage and enable married transsexual people to gain legal recognition in their acquired gender without having to end their marriages. 
 
 A law recognizing civil partnerships in England and Wales was passed in 2004. 
 
 Tony and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, who are already same-sex civil partners and have five children together, told CNN that it was important to them to be able to marry in front of their fellow churchgoers. 
 
 "We want to be able to go into our local parish church, where we are practicing Christians, and under the eyes of the Lord, get married," said Barrie Drewitt-Barlow. 
 
 "I don't want to go in front of a vicar or priest who doesn't want to do it; it's supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I want to be really happy and joyous when I get married to the man that I've been together with for 25 years." 
 
 His partner, Tony, said it was a question of equality. 
 
 "Marriage is all about the union of two people that love each other and want to bind that love in a relationship that lasts forever. And for me, it's about having that right for everybody, gay, straight or bisexual," he said. 
 
 "Whatever you are, if you love that person, then you should have the rights to be joined in matrimony with them." 
 
 Cameron has said he is determined to push through legislation allowing same-sex marriage "not only as someone who believes in equality but as someone who believes passionately in marriage." 
 
 But his commitment to that aim has set him at odds with many in his own party. 
 
 A number of local party members wrote to the prime minister Sunday, urging him to reconsider. 
 
 "We feel very strongly that the decision to bring this Bill before Parliament has been made without adequate debate or consultation with either the membership of the Conservative Party or with the country at large," said the letter, published on the Conservative Grassroots website. 
 
 "Long-held religious and personal freedoms and the right to free speech will be adversely affected by the passing of this Bill." 
 
 The Church of England also outlined its objections to the bill in a briefing note sent to lawmakers Friday. 
 
 It cannot support the legislation "because of its concern for the uncertain and unforeseen consequences for wider society and the common good when marriage is redefined in gender-neutral terms," it said. 
 
 It also argues that civil partnerships "already confer the same rights as marriage" and that allowing same-sex couples to marry will open the door to "continued legal disputes for years to come." 
 
 The issue of same-sex marriage has also prompted wide disagreement elsewhere. 
 
 Lawmakers in France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, on Saturday passed with a wide majority the most important article of a law to legalize same-sex marriage. 
 
 Debate will continue for the next week on thousands of proposed amendments to the law, which would also open adoption to same-sex couples. 
 
 The vote by French lawmakers followed big public protests against the bill, which has proved highly divisive in the majority Catholic country. 
 
 In the United States, where President Barack Obama has voiced his personal support for same-sex marriage, it has been legalized in nine states and the District of Columbia. 
 
 At the same time, 30 states have passed constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center. 
 
 Polls show the U.S. public has gradually become more accepting of same-sex marriage, with more Americans in favor in 2013 than opposed, according to Pew. 
 
 Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa and Norway are among nearly a dozen countries that allow same-sex marriages. 
 
 According to a report released in May 2011 by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, same-sex relations are still criminalized in 76 countries, and in five of those countries, the death penalty can be applied. ||||| SIR – Today the Commons will vote on the Bill to allow same-sex marriage. 
 
 Civil partnerships for gay couples were a great step forward, but the question now is whether it is any longer acceptable to exclude people from marriage simply because they love someone of the same sex. 
 
 Marriage has evolved over time. We believe that opening it up to same-sex couples will strengthen, not weaken, the institution. As David Cameron has said, we should support gay marriage not in spite of being Conservatives, but because we are Conservatives. 
 
 Our party also has a strong belief in religious freedom, a vital element of a free society. The Bill ensures that no faith group will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages. The legal advice is clear that these protections for religious groups cannot be overturned by the courts. 
 
 Religious freedom works both ways. Why should faith groups, such as the Quakers, that wish to conduct gay marriages be forbidden from doing so? This Bill will enhance religious freedom, not restrict it. 
 
 Attitudes towards gay people have changed. A substantial majority of the public now favour allowing same-sex couples to marry, and support has increased rapidly. This is the right thing to do at the right time. We will be among the Conservative MPs voting for this Bill today. 
 
 William Hague MP (Con) 
 
 George Osborne MP (Con) 
 
 Theresa May MP (Con) 
 
 London SW1 
 
 SIR – On whatever side of the fence you sit in this debate, it is the 600 or so MPs who will decide on the matter in perpetuity, for 60 million or so citizens. For this they have no mandate. We should all be worried about this undemocratic process. Is it any wonder that fewer people vote when MPs do what most of their constituents dislike? 
 
 Martin Hooper 
 
 Staplefield, West Sussex 
 
 SIR – As chairman of Witham Constituency Conservative Association, I am astonished by Mr Cameron's determination to proceed with this Bill despite objections from his party – and from the Church. 
 
 It is reckless of him to go out of his way to divide the party. Although tempted to leave the party I shall stay (unless asked to leave on account of this letter) because I am confident that gay marriage is viewed with disdain by the sort of Conservatives I respect. I hope that Mr Cameron does not drive too many of them away. 
 
 Tom Foster 
 
 Kelvedon, Essex 
 
 SIR – Does David Cameron think he can buy a huge gay vote with his promotion of gay marriage? The gay electorate is not an old-fashioned Left-wing union block vote. 
 
 They are not all the same age, colour, or size. They each have their own concerns about the economy, the EU, immigration, health and welfare, just like heterosexuals. 
 
 Mr Cameron should address these concerns, and if he succeeds he will get support from people of all sexual orientations. His present course trades potential gay votes against existing core votes, condemning his party to oblivion. 
 
 I shall not vote again for my local Conservative marginal incumbent, if she does not oppose the Bill. If we get Lib Dem policies, I might as well let a Lib Dem win. 
 
 Michael Austin 
 
 Abingdon, Oxfordshire 
 
 SIR – Would a fish be a chicken because Cameron's Government said so? Could a man marry his horse? However they dress it in the guise of "equality", the fact (even after today's vote) is that only a man and a woman can become one in marriage – the Creator designed it so. 
 
 Fr John McLoughlin 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 SIR – I cannot vote for a party whose leader is prepared to overturn this centuries-old cornerstone of our society, which will allow the European Court of Human Rights to make criminals of people of conscience. 
 
 Lucy Turner 
 
 Porthcawl, Glamorgan 
 
 Overcrowded MoD 
 
 SIR – The Ministry of Defence procurement department is awash with manpower (Letters, February 1), a situation exacerbated by two factors. 
 
 First, the MoD has always been disinclined to buy “off-the-shelf” equipment, which increases staffing levels, not only in processing a requirement but also in research and development. 
 
 Secondly, asking some 250 staff officers their opinion on what the end result should be for a particular piece of equipment results in cost inflation. This is because career enhancement flows from submitting ideas, rather than from offering no comment. 
 
 So it was that our procurement branch grew to 24,000 personnel. 
 
 Michael Nicholson 
 
 Dunsfold, Surrey 
 
 SIR – In my interview with Elizabeth Grice (February 2), when I said: “I would like to line up the civil servants in the MoD on a wall and push every 10th person off”, what I meant to say was five out of every 10. 
 
 Major Sir Michael Parker 
 
 Wherwell, Hampshire 
 
 SIR – I wonder how much Switzerland spends on defence compared with Britain? On a recent visit, I was impressed with how well-to-do the country looks. It seems that it spends its money on the people and the country, rather than policing the world. 
 
 Pat Gosbee 
 
 London SE9 
 
 Stars over Timbuktu 
 
 SIR – The French put the EU flag beside the Tricolour whenever a photo opportunity allows. This occurred in Timbuktu. Is this an EU-endorsed project, not just a French initiative? Was the action in Mali in our name, as members of the EU? 
 
 John Dewhirst 
 
 Shipley, Derbyshire 
 
 Addressing a problem 
 
 SIR – I sent two letters (Letters, February 1) from Florida. One, to London, UK, arrived via UKraine. The second was addressed to London, GB, and arrived via GBralter. 
 
 Diane Minkoff 
 
 Edgware, Middlesex 
 
 SIR – When living in Swaziland, envelopes had to be marked “via Johannesburg” or they would be sent to Switzerland. 
 
 Michael Ogden 
 
 Amesbury, Wiltshire 
 
 Booming litter fines 
 
 SIR – It’s quite simple: if people didn’t litter they wouldn’t get fined (“Former soldiers on litter patrol fine tens of thousands in a year”, report, January 29). 
 
 Our residents supported the introduction of fines for littering (92 per cent of those surveyed), and some requested we name and shame offenders. In response, the council introduced a fixed-penalty notice scheme for litter in partnership with Xfor Local Authority Support. 
 
 The council does not aim to make a profit. Income from penalties helps to fund the running costs of the scheme. 
 
 The cleanliness of Hillingdon’s towns has improved since fines were introduced, and the money saved on unnecessary street cleaning of litter can be better spent on services that residents want. 
 
 Cllr Jonathan Bianco 
 
 Hillingdon Council 
 
 Uxbridge, Middlesex 
 
 SIR – When walking my dog, I used to pick up roadside litter and put it in two litter bins. The bins have since been removed by the waste management company used by the council, which said that somebody was depositing too much rubbish in them. 
 
 Christopher Weeks 
 
 Wareham, Dorset 
 
 Immersed in Chinese 
 
 SIR – The British Council is right to highlight the importance of Mandarin for the future of our children, and the British economy (report, February 4). 
 
 That is why we are not only teaching Mandarin as an option at my school, but also introducing it as an immersion subject. From September, children will be taught a third of their curriculum (for example maths or drama), as well as receiving tutor time every day, in the language. 
 
 Immersion teaching in French and Spanish has already had a profound effect at our school, with children on the third year of the programme almost a year ahead of their peers across all subjects. 
 
 Neil Strowger 
 
 Head teacher, Bohunt School 
 
 Liphook, Hampshire 
 
 Gunning for sexists 
 
 SIR – On BBC news bulletins the word spokesperson is often to be heard, but not gunperson. Are criminals the only ones without the right to be described in non-sexist language? 
 
 Peter Doble 
 
 London W2 
 
 Overseas talent needed to plug British skills gap 
 
 SIR – Nick de Bois, the Conservative MP, is correct to say that emigration is creating a skills gap in Britain (report, January 23). 
 
 Our restrictive immigration policy is preventing businesses from plugging the skills gap with talent from overseas. Since 2007, work-related emigration has risen by 16 per cent while work-related immigration has fallen by 24 per cent. 
 
 We at Randstad, the recruitment firm, forecast that the country faces a workforce shortfall of 3.1 million people by 2050 if this mismatch continues – nearly 10 per cent short of the workforce required to support the population expected in the coming decades. 
 
 World-beating organisations need highly skilled staff in order to succeed. The Government has proved in the appointment of Mark Carney as the next Governor of the Bank of England that sometimes the best candidates are from overseas. We must ensure this approach is allowed to run smoothly across the entire workforce, not just at the very top. 
 
 Mark Bull 
 
 CEO, Randstad 
 
 Luton, Bedfordshire 
 
 SIR – Nick de Bois is right to highlight the loss of British talent to emigration. 
 
 The outlook for current undergraduates is not encouraging. If they establish themselves with a successful career, pension and family in Britain, they will find themselves on marginal tax rates of more than 75 per cent (income tax 40 per cent, National Insurance 2 per cent, university loan 9 per cent, child benefit clawback 24.6 per cent) once they earn over £50,000, with three children and university fees to repay. 
 
 After 45 years’ work their pension will be taxed at up to 55 per cent and when they eventually die their estate will be all but confiscated by the state, based on current taxation trends. 
 
 People should be able to benefit from their study and labours. The policy of successive governments has redistributed the tax base in such a way that hunger for success is diminished and the rewards for success are taken away. 
 
 I fully expect my children, faced with a lifetime as a potential government cash cow, to follow my brothers and emigrate. 
 
 Martin Whapshott 
 
 Frimley, Surrey
– The UK's House of Commons overwhelmingly voted to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage today, by a vote of 400 to 175, the BBC reports. The bill allows religious organizations to conduct gay marriages if they so choose; same-sex couples to convert their civil partnerships to marriages; and married transsexual people to be legally recognized, in their acquired gender, without ending their marriages, CNN explains. But there are still a few more stages—including House of Lords approval—before the bill becomes law. A number of conservative lawmakers voted against the bill, despite support from David Cameron. Three prominent conservative MPs urged their fellow party members to pass the bill in a letter published in the Telegraph today. "We believe that opening it up to same-sex couples will strengthen, not weaken, the institution," they wrote. "As David Cameron has said, we should support gay marriage not in spite of being Conservatives, but because we are Conservatives."