Alun Cairns MP shared this Pride photo on social media (Picture: Twitter/ Alun Cairns)

A Conservative MP has been accused of ‘appalling hypocrisy’ for celebrating Pride when he voted against gay marriage.

Alun Cairns shared a picture of him standing outside 10 Downing Street while flower arrangers prepared a multi-coloured display.

The Secretary of State for Wales said there was ‘great excitement around the place’ ahead of a Pride reception yesterday in honour of the LGBT community.

But many were quick to point out how he voted six years ago when same-sex marriage was passed through Parliament.


Cairns voted against the Gay Marriage Act along with 169 other MPs in 2013, but it was passed thanks to a majority of 395 MPs voting for the Bill.



Jeremy Miles, one of the first openly gay Welsh Government ministers, said Cairns was a ‘hypocrite’ for posing beside the Pride display.

Alun Cairns has since said he regrets voting against gay marriage (Picture: AFP/Getty)

The Labour politician said: ‘This is just appalling hypocrisy. How “great” do you think the “excitement” was amongst the LGBT+ community when you tried to block equal marriage?’

Labour councillor Owen Griffiths added: ‘Oh please AlunCairns. Your comments or excitement on this is not wanted or needed.

‘You remember you voted against giving equal marriage rights to the LGBT+ community right?!

‘Keep your fake excitement and say what it is, another photo op for you!’

However, Cairns has previously admitted his ‘regret’ at voting against the Bill.

Following the first Pride event in his constituency last September, Cairns said he has seen the ‘positive difference’ gay marriage has made to many.

Theresa May stands beside the Pride display outside Downing Street (Picture: Reuters)

He said: ‘This hugely successful local event is a reflection of a wider picture in recent years. Gay Marriage passed in the House of Commons in 2013.

‘I regret the decision to vote against it and see the positive difference it has made to the lives of many.’

The Government is publishing a progress report this week into its strategy to improve the lives of LGBT people.

The report suggests a third of the Government’s four-year LGBT action plan has been delivered on within 12 months.

Dr Michael Brady was appointed as the first national adviser for LGBT Health and £1 million has been promised to trial new ways to tackle LGBT health issues.

Among other some achievements, an anti-homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying programme is being delivered in more than 1,800 schools.

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