John, it is not a small change we would be making to the fabric of our society.
It is a crime against democracy to rush it through on the whim of a few politicians.
There are democratic processes that should be gone through.

Let there be proper consultation and assessing of the public's wish for the change.
Let it be put to the parties' conferences.
Let it be in election manifestos BEFORE the people choose.
If there is a coalition, let it be part of the coalition agreement.
Let it be put in the Queens Speech as intended government legislation.
THEN put it to Parliament with ALL parties given a free vote.

Not one of those steps have been followed.
An institution that has served us for millennia is to be discarded by a few self seeking politicians within the same Parliament as the wheeze was first thought up in.

I am utterly bewildered that so many here have such dismissive contempt for the deeply felt convictions of so many fellow citizens.