MP Angela is all set for her happiest day

Sep 17 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

angela eagle

WALLASEY MP Angela Eagle is to enter into a same-sex civil partnership later this month after an 18-year relationship with Maria Exall.

The pair, who are both 47, plan to register their long-standing relationship on Saturday, September 27, at a ceremony in London.

They met 20 years ago at Peckham Labour Party where Ms Eagle was the secretary and Ms Exall, a BT telephone engineer and member of the national executive committee of the Communications Workers Union, was also involved.

Their plans to wed were revealed by deputy Labour Party leader Harriet Harman last week in front of union delegates at the Trades Union Congress in Brighton.

Ms Eagle, a treasury minister, said: “I was sat in the gallery when Harriet announced it and everybody looked up at me and clapped.

“I was a bit surprised. We had not exactly planned to make it public in this fashion, but I laughed to myself and thought I’ll have to write a press release now.

“I think Harriet was just so excited about it. We are old friends – she was there when I first met Maria.”

Same-sex civil partnership legislation came into force in December 2005, giving gay people similar rights as married men and women.

Ms Eagle, who was a firm supporter of this bill, said: “We are delighted to be taking advantage of legislation brought in by the Labour Government that recognises same sex relationships.

“I never thought getting married would be something I could do, so it is fantastic that I can – and it’s fantastic to be part of this change.

“We planned our wedding six months ago but, because we have been so busy, it has come round really fast and we haven’t really done much about it – I have nothing but admiration for anybody who plans their wedding for years.

“We are very happy and are really looking forward to making our relationship official.”