British PM David Cameron ‘proud’ of gay marriage bill but economy now focus

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday he was proud MPs had voted to back gay marriage but admitted the debate has been divisive and said his focus would now be on economic matters.

The Conservative leader offered an olive branch to party activists opposed to the same-sex marriage bill by promising there would be no more laws on social issues before the next election in 2015.

“If you are saying to me, ‘Is this the first of many other issues like that?’, no it isn’t,” Cameron told BBC radio, the day after the bill cleared a crucial parliamentary hurdle.

He also restated his commitment to the three-year-old coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, whose socially liberal, pro-European Union views are at odds with those of many traditionalist Tory voters.

“The government now is going to be absolutely focused on the big picture, which is fixing our economy and reforming our welfare, making sure there are good schools for our children to go to,” Cameron said.

He added: “To anyone who doubts the life there is left in the coalition, I would argue there is more to come. Very bold reforming and strong government, and that is what we will be right up till polling day.”