Geoffrey Vero, chairman of the Surrey Heath Conservative Constituency Association, who wants the bill to be delayed, told the BBC's Daily Politics it was costing the party votes, and some supporters were no longer prepared to help out with canvassing.

BBC: A gay wedding

But he has proven electoral appeal, having wrested control of the traditionally conservative Bundang constituency in a by-election in April.

ECONOMIST: The race to succeed the president gets under way

The conservative Malay constituency is well represented by nationalist politicians within UMNO, including Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

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