David Cameron: Gay pride? Of course I have gay pride!

I was the first centre-right leader in the world to take the initiative and pass gay marriage, writes David Cameron. It is one of the achievements of which I am proudest

It was only through long conversations with colleagues, friends and my wife Samantha that I became convinced that denying gay couples the ability to get married made them feel like their love for one another counted for less than straight couples’ (WPA ROTA)

It was a familiar scene. The London register office. The guests in all their finery. The groom, looking nervous, relaxing and beaming the minute he looked into the eyes of his betrothed.

What made this wedding different to so many I had attended before, though, was that the happy couple, a minister from my government and his long-standing partner, were to be pronounced “husband and husband”. I’ll never forget the laughter and the tears – mine included – as they exchanged their vows and began their new life together.

Rewind 10 years and a scenario like this seemed impossible. I was prime minister, driving forward a bill that would allow gay people to get married. The opposition was fierce, from the Church, sections of the press, a number of party members (one even tore up their membership card in front of me), and from some of the MPs I was hoping would help to turn the bill into law.