Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday became the first senior member of the Government to break ranks and raise doubts over the Coalition's commitment to legislate for gay marriage.
In remarks which will alarm both Conservative party modernisers and Liberal Democrats, Mr Hammond suggested that gay marriage was too controversial and not enough of a priority to spend political capital on.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Hammond appeared to link gay marriage with proposals to reform the House of Lords – neither of which, he said, were a priority for the voters.
"If you stop people in the street and ask them what their concerns are, they'll talk to you about jobs and economic growth, the level of the wages they're earning, wanting to see real growth in wages again."
But his comments were met with irritation by the Liberal Democrats. A source close to the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "We would fully expect Mr Hammond to support government policy regardless of his views. Gay marriage is something which is backed by both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments