Prime Minister Gordon Brown will today recommend that civil partnerships should take place in the Palace of Westminster, as part of Labour's pro-gay stance.
Although MPs, peers and their families are entitled to get married in
Parliament’s own chapel there is no opportunity for same sex couples
formally to register their relationship.
Brown will make the recommendation when he gives evidence to the Speaker's
conference, along with the Conservative and Liberal Democrats leaders,
David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
The conference will examine how to fully represent minority groups and women more effectively.
Brown's recommendation will send a powerful message to party supporters and peers alike, as Labour try to woo gay voters ahead of the next general election.
A spokesperson for Labour told PinkPaper.com: "Gordon Brown is right to ask Parliament to open itself up to civil partnerships - it is right that Parliament changes with the times.
"Labour is doing more than any party to support openly-LGBT people to become MPs through Dorothy's List which now has more than £6000 to support openly-LGBT candidates standing for Labour. Only Labour has a campaign fund to help openly-LGBT candidates, the funding is designed to bring about a more representative House of Commmons and give openly-LGBT candidates the resources to fight homophobia in their local media.
"For Parliament to reflect the conservative estimate that the LGBT Community is just 6% that would require nearly 40 lesbian and gay MPs. Only Labour can deliver equality."