After a busy week in Westminster, there is nothing I enjoy more than getting back into the constituency to meet with the great people of Meriden and Solihull East.
Whether that’s visiting one of our fantastic local schools or trying out a new local business, I get a real feel for the mood of the country when out and about.
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Dorridge Day, one of the most exciting events in our Solihull calendar.
The heart and soul of Dorridge Day is, without doubt, the incredible team from Knowle and Dorridge Round Table, Dorridge 41 Club and the Knowle and Dorridge Ladies Circle, who work tirelessly behind the scenes year after year to make the event such a success.
From organising the stalls and funfair to coordinating volunteers, sponsors, and safety measures, their dedication is extraordinary. Events like this don’t happen without months of planning and countless hours of hard work, and we owe them a huge amount of thanks.
What stood out again this year was the sense of community. In a world where we’re all too often glued to screens or rushing from one task to the next, Dorridge Day is a reminder of the value of simply coming together.
Whether it was children enjoying the rides, families enjoying the days performances, or neighbours catching up over a hot drink. Of course, I was blown away by the medieval scenes of the day, with fully armoured knights wondering about Dorridge, certainly not something you witness every day.
Importantly, Dorridge Day is not just about entertainment it’s about impact.
The funds raised through the event support a wide range of local charities and causes, helping those who need it most right here in our community. That’s what makes the work of the Round Table and their connected organisation so special.
I was also struck by how many young volunteers and families took part. Events like this are a fantastic way to instil a sense of civic pride and public service in the next generation and judging by the enthusiasm on display, the future of our community is bright.
Speaking of the importance of local communities, it is right I address the recent cyber-attack at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Last week, I spoke in the House of Commons during an Urgent Question raised in response to the attack. I know how unsettling this news has been for many in our community.
JLR is one of our region’s largest employers. Thousands of people across the borough of Solihull work directly for JLR and tens of thousands more rely on it through the supply chain. It’s no surprise that this incident has caused real concern locally.
That’s why I offered my full support to both the Government and JLR to help resolve the situation as quickly as possible and get operations back to normal.
I made it clear in Parliament that this isn’t just a technical issue, but it’s a serious matter of national resilience, economic stability and public trust.
