Stourbridge MP defiant after criticism from councillors

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles says she will not quit as a Dudley councillor after criticism of her absence from meetings.

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Published Oct 25

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Labour’s Ms Eccles, who represents the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town ward, was elected to Westminster in July’s general election.

She came under fire at Dudley Council’s full meeting on October 21 during a debate on the introduction of parking charges.

Cat Eccles at the count in Stourbridge where she was elected as the town\'s new MP. Picture: Martyn Smith/LDRS

During the debate, Lib Dem Cllr Ryan Priest said: “I’m tired of hearing the borough’s MPs bleat their opposition to this when one of them could have voted against parking charges in this chamber but didn’t even show up – it’s not good enough.”

Cllr Eccles, who was not at the council meeting, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I am wearing two hats, as a member of parliament its a matter of prioritising, while I won’t always be able to be in the council chamber I am keeping abreast with what is going on in the council.