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Philosophy gay rights LGBT liberal democrats Tim Farron

Do Tim Farron’s views on homosexuality matter, politically?

Democracy requires broad coalitions of interests among people who differ

By Julian Baggini  
April 28, 2017

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron ©Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA Images

“I don’t believe that gay sex is a sin.” It took a long time for Tim Farron to say it, long enough for discussion about whether the seeming private illiberality of the Liberal leader was a disgrace or completely irrelevant. The discussion was often heated. Tory Tim Montgomerie decried the “totalitarian” demand for “politicians to reveal inner thoughts and beliefs” while Labour MP Liz Kendall called his initial refusal to say gay sex wasn’t sinful offensive.

The key issue here…

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Julian Baggini

Julian Baggini is a writer and philosopher whose latest book is The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well (Princeton University Press)

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