LONDON: A prominent member of Britain's ruling Conservatives has challenged Prime Minister David Cameron to hold a national referendum over plans to allow homosexuals to marry amid a renewed tug of war here on gay rights.

Ms Ann Widdecome, who recently retired from politics after a long ministerial career, warned earlier this week that gay marriages will spell 'the most fundamental change to society in centuries' and, if Mr Cameron wants to allow them, he should first 'ask the people what they want'. 'The redefinition of marriage is too big an issue for the state to foist on an unwilling population,' she said.

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