WREXHAM'S MP will vote in favour of assisted dying in Parliament tomorrow (November 28) 

On Thursday, MPs will vote on the second reading of Kim Leadbeater’s Private Members Bill which is titled The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

This will be the first time MPs have debated assisted dying since 2015.

Ahead of the vote, Wrexham's MP Andrew Ranger has explained his decision to vote in favour of the bill, a decision he has "not made lightly".

He said: "As Wrexham’s MP, I want to share with you my thoughts on the Bill and how I intend to vote.

"Tomorrow’s vote is a free one where MPs are able to vote according to their conscience. There have been complex and emotive arguments on both sides of the debate that I have engaged with and listened to as part of my decision-making process.

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"Assisted dying is a complex, contentious and emotive subject – and I have spent considerable time examining the matter and arriving at a decision.

"I have been moved by the many letters and emails I have received on the matter from constituents, experts and others, whether it has been a personal experience of a relative or friend or to express a personal opinion. Each and every letter has contributed to what has been an incredibly challenging subject, and I express my gratitude to everyone who has got in touch with me in the past few months. I have received significantly more correspondence on this matter from constituents than any other subject since being elected.

"Tomorrow, I am intending to vote in favour of the bill. This is not a decision I have made lightly and is with the intention to let the Bill pass through to the report and committee stages, which will allow for amendments and areas of possible concern to be addressed and considered before being sent back to the Commons for a Third Reading later next year, at which stage I will then examine the resulting legislation and arrive at a final decision.

"I fully appreciate that on matters such as assisted dying, there are strongly held views on both sides of the argument and therefore not everyone will agree with my decision. Should the bill pass through its second stage on Friday, I and my office once again will welcome and encourage further engagement on this issue."