It was good to see National Cabinet Ministers, the Rt Hon Tony Ryall MP and Rt Hon Simon Bridges eventually deciding after some indecision to vote no to the first reading of the gay marriage bill. Unlike their leader the Rt Hon John Key PM who voted yes, these two local constituency cabinet ministers finally realised that a yes vote would have been a loss of votes in 2014's general election.
However as it was a conscience vote these two politicians should have consulted widely in their electorates to see what the people really wanted - they didn't.
So yes, Brendon Horan, NZ First list MP is quite right - a referendum is required.
Brendon, do you and Winston and the six others really want a referendum or are you just grandstanding?
How are you going to do it? Join forces with all the other ‘no' MPs? Is a 51/49% majority enough? What's NZ First's current stand on binding referenda?
Anyhow, congratulations Brendon for voting along with Tony and Simon. Do keep us informed, perhaps through this free, widely read newspaper.

Hylton Rhodes, Tauranga.