It has certainly been a busy few weeks as your Member of Parliament for Stourbridge!

A job like mine is fast-paced and incredibly demanding. But, amidst the whirlwind, I’ve found myself reflecting on the pride I hold, to serve in a democracy that seeks to represent constituents in the way ours does here in Britain.

I recognise the fact that I would not be able to do the job I love so much, representing the people of Stourbridge in the same way, had the strongest generation in our nation’s history not sacrificed so much to protect the future.

On Thursday, we mark 80 years of an incredibly poignant day: VE Day. Here in Stourbridge, the legacy of that generation lives on in our memorials, in our community spirit, and in the stories passed down through families.

The legacy of VE Day is not only in the history books—it lives on in every democratic institution, free election, and open society that we are fortunate enough to have access to.

It is our duty to safeguard this and use this opportunity to remember the sacrifice that was made to provide us these freedoms.

Frank Foley, a resident of Stourbridge, worked as a spy in Berlin. Using his position checking passports, he courageously helped save an estimated ten thousand German Jews, helping them escape persecution.

His selfless acts saved so many lives and embodied the values we celebrate on VE Day.

In Oldswinford, the 63 Military Intelligence Company worked alongside Bletchley Park on key intelligence that proved vital to the war effort, and continue that work today.

These local contributions remind us that Stourbridge played its part in defending freedom, even beyond the battlefield.

And today, the legacy of service continues. Our Royal British Legion branches across the constituency do vital work supporting veterans and preserving the memory of those who served.

Their dedication ensures that the stories of sacrifice and courage are never forgotten. I want to pay my respects and thanks to our entire veteran and armed forces community, not just in Stourbridge but across the country.

Even now, we still have young men and women prepared to risk everything to protect us and our values.

Acknowledging this, I therefore remain confident in my support for the Government’s decision to increase defence spending and, of course, our continued support for Ukraine’s right to protect itself as a nation against Russian aggression.

We must continue to use the lessons of the past to inform the decisions of our future.

To all constituents this VE Day, I hope you too can take time to remember the sacrifices that would have been made by young men and women from Stourbridge, Netherton, Brierley Hill and beyond, over 80 years ago.

They may have been our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents and we must be eternally grateful to each and every one of them.