PUBLIC art is something that it is, I have always felt, important to uplift communities. It can take many forms and the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, built to commemorate a yet to be decided national hero, but never used for its intended purpose, demonstrates how imaginative public art can be. Yet more often than not, it is used to commemorate great heroes of our nation, or of our communities, providing inspiration for subsequent generations. We see it in Kidderminster with Roland Hill, founder of the paid postage service, and the preacher Richard Baxter. But it was only last week that one of our great local heroes was commemorated in Bewdley.

Stanley Baldwin was elected the Member of Parliament for Bewdley in a by-election in 1908 and served until 1937. But it was his three terms as prime minister, between 1923 and 1937, that he is remembered, and famed. During his time, he handled with extreme skill and tact such constitutional crises as the abdication of our Queen’s uncle, Edward VIII.

So it was fitting that, far too long overdue, a statue of Stanley Baldwin was unveiled by the Duke of Gloucester. It was a huge triumph for a group of people who saw the vision of commemorating this extraordinary man in his home town. I’ve been involved at a periphery level, but the legions of dedicated local activists who have raised the money, commissioned the artist, sought permission to put it up, and organised the unveiling. It was a huge effort and the turnout on the day proved it was worth the effort.

As one would expect, there was a turnout of the great and good of Worcestershire and the Baldwin family. But I was delighted when Labour deputy leader Tom Watson rang me a couple of days before to see if it was OK to come along and watch. Stanley Baldwin was, amongst many things, a unifier of parties across the political divide. So, it was a fitting tribute the memory of that spirit that Tom not only came along, but was given a proper place in the proceedings.

Baldwin was a man of humility and grace, known for his quotes. “Don’t hang around with goats, or you will find yourself picking fleas of yourself” is a good one to live by. But it is “never get between a dog and its lamppost” that probably serves us politicians the best.