It has always been a struggle to get Senior Cabinet members of Telford & Wrekin Council to accept that they have a Member of Parliament they did not choose, and to include me in local events.
One example of this is what happens on Remembrance Sunday.
I have never been invited to the main Remembrance Sunday Service and have never laid a Parliamentary Wreath at the main Remembrance Sunday service. The main Remembrance Sunday Service is held on rotation in Dawley, Madeley or Oakengates.
The Telford & Wrekin Councillors in charge of the Parish Councils organising these events: Cllrs Davies, Watling and Reynolds respectively, have not permitted me to attend as an MP or to lay a Parliamentary Wreath at this event.
It is disappointing that these senior councillors on Telford & Wrekin Council allow politics to get in the way on such an important event.
However, I have always found plenty of other events across Telford to attend on Remembrance Sunday, where politics does not come into it and where I am welcome to lay a Parliamentary Wreath on behalf of my constituents, and I always do so with great pride.