Matthew Offord is Twonk of the Day

Matthew Offord ( @HendonMP ) wins the Twonk of the day award.

Mr Offord has a majority of 107, and apparently was once mistaken by Flashman  for being his waiter. 

 One of Mr Offord's constituents wrote asking for his support for same sex marriage and detailed below is the response he received.

I do not support same sex marriage and neither does Manuel Matthew Offord but our reasons are different. I do not support the institution of marriage at all.

Here his response :-

"Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding Same Sex Marriage.

My own position is that I will not be voting for legislation that extends marriage for same-sex couples. Having waited many years to get married I acknowledge the value the commitment brings. It is my strong personal, moral and religious belief that the institution of marriage is to provide the foundation of a stable relationship in which those two people of the opposite sex procreate and raise a child. That is physically not possible for same-sex couples so I don't see the  point of introducing a law to allow this. I strongly believe in same-sex couples having the right to a civil registration, in order that they receive the same benefits as opposite-sex couples but not marriage.

To many this might seem like a trivial matter, particularly since the introduction of Civil Partnerships in 2004 means that same sex couple already enjoy the same rights that married couple do. However the institution of marriage is woven into the fabric of our nation - it affects our courts, inheritance rights and even our schools. And it is the effect on our schools, children and teachers that is worrying so many. Close to 100,000 people have signed the one man, one woman equals marriage petition.

In regard to education, Section 403 of the Education Act 1996 places a legal requirement on schools to teach children about "the importance of marriage". If marriage is redefined, schools will have no choice but to give children equivalent teaching on same sex marriage, even those children of a very young age, including those at primary school. So what will happen to parents who because of religious, or philosophical beliefs take their children out of lessons? It is simply inconceivable in today's world where political correctness runs a mock in our institutions, that there would not be profound consequences for those who hold traditional views. Parents who object will be treated as bigots and outcasts, possibly excluded from being on the PTA, or from being a governor. Discriminated against and persecuted because they hold views that have been enshrined in our laws and have been the cornerstone of our society for two thousand years. And what of the teachers who object to teaching about same sex marriage. Will they face disciplinary action? How will it affect their careers? Will same sex marriage be covered under such subjects as citizenship forming part of the main curriculum taught to our children and tested through examination? These are just some of the questions that the Government has so far failed to answer.

I do not believe that same sex marriage would serve to enhance British society or its values.

Yours sincerely,

MATTHEW OFFORD MP
Member of Parliament for Hendon
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

 Manuel Matthew Offord's arguments are so weak for the position he is adopting and that’s why he wins the Twonk award. Here's the letter again with my comments add in red .

"Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding Same Sex Marriage.

My own position is that I will not be voting for legislation that extends marriage for same-sex couples. ( Hurrah ! but only if your willing to ban all marriage ) Having waited many years to get married ( err why is that relevant ? ) I acknowledge the value the commitment brings ( to who ? ). It is my strong personal, moral and religious belief that the institution of marriage is to provide the foundation of a stable relationship in which those two people of the opposite sex procreate and raise a child ( Not sure everybody thinks like this ? I'm sure love is supposed to come in there somewhere in the 21st century, Are you also saying if you don’t want children there is no need to marry ? I'm pretty sure you can also procreate outside marriage, I’m also sure you can have a " stable " relationship without marrying.). That is physically not possible for same-sex couples so I don't see the  point of introducing a law to allow this ( a bit of a porkie here, adoption and sperm donors seem to pass you by. So if I follow your logic couples that cannot conceive should divorce ? and if your an adoptive parent you should be denied marriage ?) . I strongly believe in same-sex couples having the right to a civil registration, in order that they receive the same benefits as opposite-sex couples but not marriage ( not equality for all then ? ).

To many this might seem like a trivial matter ( condescending ), particularly since the introduction of Civil Partnerships in 2004 means that same sex couple already enjoy the same rights that married couple do. However the institution of marriage is woven into the fabric of our nation - it affects our courts, inheritance rights and even our schools. And it is the effect on our schools, children and teachers that is worrying so many ( really ? any evidence on this ?). Close to 100,000 people have signed the one man, one woman equals marriage petition. ( whilst factually correct surely this relates to you majority more than to the strength of argument )

In regard to education, Section 403 of the Education Act 1996 places a legal requirement on schools to teach children about "the importance of marriage" ( I didn’t know this, but I pose the question as to why marriage is so important ? ). If marriage is redefined, schools will have no choice but to give children equivalent teaching on same sex marriage, even those children of a very young age, including those at primary school ( Yes and your problem with that is ? ). So what will happen to parents who because of religious, or philosophical beliefs take their children out of lessons? ( they should be prosecuted as their views should not impede the education of their child ) It is simply inconceivable in today's world where political correctness runs a mock in our institutions, that there would not be profound consequences for those who hold traditional views ( thats the point isnt it ? Its called progress). Parents who object will be treated as bigots and outcasts, possibly excluded from being on the PTA, or from being a governor ( as they should be ! as such institutions exist for the education of all children not just theirs). Discriminated against and persecuted because they hold views that have been enshrined in our laws and have been the cornerstone of our society for two thousand years ( 2000 years ago a marriage was about property and indeed the female being property, slavery was also OK along with rape within marriage , check this out). And what of the teachers who object to teaching about same sex marriage. Will they face disciplinary action? How will it affect their careers? ( their teachers and a good teacher is agnostic to their personal beliefs, how else is religion taught ? can a devout catholic not teach Judaism ? Can a atheist not teach morals ? )  Will same sex marriage be covered under such subjects as citizenship forming part of the main curriculum taught to our children and tested through examination? ( Hope so ! )These are just some of the questions that the Government has so far failed to answer.

I do not believe that same sex marriage would serve to enhance British society or its values. ( So I must conclude that you believe that same sex marriage is at best neutral to our society, or indeed, at worst, detrimental ? Other than some bigoted people being upset you have offered no coherent reason not to support same sex marriage, which is a failure of accountability on your part )

Yours sincerely,

MATTHEW OFFORD MP
Member of Parliament for Hendon
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA