A snap poll for Sky News found that a majority of those who responded (54 per cent) did not believe that Mr Duncan’s sexuality should be an issue.So why is this a public issue? It's because the public sector (including getting elected) is one in which winner takes all. If a majority in Rutland and Melton doesn't approve of Duncan's lifestyle, he's out of a job.
The private sector allows a choice. If you don't like your boss/shopkeeper/mate-in-the-pub being a Friend of Blair/Tory/gay, you can go elsewhere. The state doesn't offer that freedom. It's all the difference in the world.