Nicky Morgan, Education Secretary and Equalities Minister, has spoken out against the online abuse she received when she changed her mind about gay marriage.
An active Christian, Morgan was one of 175 MPs who voted against gay marriage in 2013 but has since decided she "got it wrong" and would now vote in favour.
Speaking at a Huffington Post event at the Conservative Party Conference, she explained that "politics is about learning", but that some people "don't want to accept that someone can change".
She initially voted against same sex marriage because of the letters she received from her constituents which were 10 to one against the vote. She also said that it "tied in with my own Christian faith too".
Morgan said that she reconnected with her faith while standing for election as an MP in 2005 in Loughborough, which she described as "an amazing place". "e have lots of different churches," she said. "Going to those churches reminded me about what it was I found comforting about going to church. I found a great church."
Explaining her U-turn concerning gay marriage, Morgan said "Doing the job I'm doing, I realised after the vote quite how many people felt excluded.
"The whole point about being in politics is about learning. One of the privileges of being an MP and minister is you are meeting different people and learning.
"Hopefully people will understand that I've said I got it wrong and my position has changed."
When asked about the abuse she received online after the vote, she said: "What I am surprised by is the people who don't want to accept that someone can change their mind."
CEO of CARE, Nola Leach, told Christian today: "It is sad that Nick Morgan no longer supports the biblical definition of marriage and I am sure there will be many Christians and supporters of traditional marriage who will also be disappointed by Ms Morgan's change of heart.
"In the midst of whatever disappointment or frustration we may feel, as Christians whenever we engage in dialogue with anyone our interactions should be governed by grace not fuelled by vindictiveness or anger.
"Everyone has the right to a point of view and indeed, a right to change their mind however much we regret it and our response should always be grace filled."
