Gay marriage vote divides Shropshire's MPs

MPs will get their first chance to vote on the Bill when it gets its second reading in the House of Commons on February 5. Prime Minister David Cameron has given Tory ministers a free vote on the matter.

And today almost all of the region's Conservative MPs said they would be voting against the Bill.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson was the first senior Tory to publicly state that he did not support gay marriage.

He said today: "I was the first cabinet minister to say that I would be voting against the Bill. I believe in traditional marriage between a man and a woman."

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said he supported civil partnerships, but could not support gay marriage.

He said: "I will not be supporting the same sex marriage Bill, even if it means I am never promoted. Marriage is a cornerstone of society but it should be between a man and a woman."

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies added: "I don't think it's right to cause offence to so many people for no practical reason. If the Bill gave new rights to gay people I would vote for it."

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne described the issue as 'very difficult' but said he believed civil partnerships provided equality for gay couples.

He added: "I believe that religious marriage is the union between a man and a woman for the upbringing of children and that is how it should stay."

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski had vowed to hold a public meeting before deciding which way to vote, but said doing so had proved to be a 'logistical nightmare'.

He added: "I still haven't made up my mind. The problem is I would really like to vote for it but my constituents are being very frank with their views about it, and those against it are very determined to stop me voting for it."

Telford's Labour MP David Wright said : "I think the Prime Minister has got it right on this occasion.

"I have a record of voting for measures which enhance equality and I believe that this Bill does just that."