Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski backs gay marriage bill

Mr Kawczynski said his decision ahead of today's House of Commons vote had been made after a 'long period of reflection' and that it had been 'extremely difficult' given the divided views across the county.

The Prime Minister is facing the prospect of being deserted by more than half of his MPs in today's vote, with Shropshire cabinet member Owen Paterson leading the revolt against the same-sex marriage plans.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard and the region's other Tories Philip Dunne and Glyn Davies are also against the Bill, while Telford's Labour MP David Wright will vote in support of it.

But ahead of the bitterly contentious Commons vote Mr Kawczynski backed a last-minute plea by Mr Cameron's three most senior Cabinet allies – Chancellor George Osborne, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Home Secretary Theresa May to support the Bill.

Hundreds of Shropshire residents have written to Mr Kawczynski over the issue, with the Tory MP saying opinions were split 50/50.

In an open letter to residents just hours before the vote explaining his decision, he said: "I want the Conservative Party to continue to be a champion of modernisation into the 21st century – to now act as a barrier to social progression would be to betray what we as Conservatives have come to successfully practice.

"I understand and fully appreciate that there may be many who do not share in my views. My decision, however, is one of principle which I have come to after a long period of reflection.

I do not believe same sex marriage will undermine the union of a man and a woman."