I have been very conscious that as an MP, I am the only national level politician available to residents of Wyre Forest. This is important because despite having the biggest vote share, many people do not subscribe to my party’s views. Party manifestos are important at an election because it describes how I will represent Wyre Forest. But in-between elections I have been conscious that party politics should not play a prominent role in how I represent people.

Last week I was keen to meet the marchers worried about proposals put forward for the district council’s local plan consultation. This is about the local community and as the local MP, whilst I have no statutory role in the process, it is my job to make sure that the community’s concerns are heard and considered. The march was well organised and the letter and accompanying pack given to me is thoughtful and intelligent. These concerns are important and I will repeat my call that everyone should get involved in the consultation, even those who feel they are not directly affected by it. Engage with your local councillors as they are elected to the local planning authority and so have a say on this. It is important for all of us.

This week, in response to the redundancies at Brinton’s and Victoria carpets, I am putting on a JobsFair on Thursday at Kidderminster Town Hall. This is done in collaboration with Gavin Miller of the Community Union and at his suggestion. I know Gavin well and ave worked with him in the past extensively. Some would suggest that a Conservative MP and a Trade Union will make an uncomfortable alliance, but my view is that we both have the interests of those who have lost their jobs at heart and as such, why wouldn’t we work together. That is why I was disappointed to hear of criticism by a prominent Labour activist suggesting the unions should not be working with Conservatives. How is it possible that party political prejudice can come before the interests of those who lost their jobs?

I have always worked with all parties in Wyre Forest, helping Labour councillors campaign against the closure of the Shrubbery TA centre, or Health Concern on speeding issues, or Greens on major fire responses after the Laurence recycling centre fire, or working with the cross party Hospital Alliance. As far as I am concerned, the community’s interests come before party politics and always will.