""Do you deny that it is unusual for an issue to be raised from nowhere and legislated for within a single Parliament?""

Yes, I would emphatically deny that. If a government were only able to legislate that which was in its manifesto, it would be totally hamstrung in the face of changing circumstances. Also, secondary legislation commonly follows on from a manifesto pledge (e.g. Equality foe all, not just for those Keith A finds worthy).

""Are you clear on what role churches can play, what they must play, and what they can not play?
That should have all been worked out before the consultation.""

YES! The whole country (except apparently you) knows the answer to this. They can if they wish, but they do not have to, carry out same sex marriages.

That would seem to address the views of dissenting churches.

""-snip- Steve, do you not believe that dissenting views should get a fair hearing? -snip-

-snip- the consultation has anyway failed to win the confidence of those with genuine reservations as a fair hearing. -snip-""

The only thing that you would accept as a fair hearing or a proper consultation would be one which dragged on until everybody agreed with your biased views.

And there is somebody who answers your questions, ME!

You just don't like the answers!

Don T