MP underestimated impact of job on family life

An MP has said he "underestimated" the impact that being elected to Parliament would have on his family life.

Telford MP Shaun Davies was elected to the House of Commons as part of the Labour landslide in July 2024.

Davies, a father and stepfather to three children, is also a councillor, along with his wife Elise, for Telford and Wrekin Council in the Malinslee and Dawley Bank ward.

He said he was not looking for sympathy and intended to stay on as an unpaid borough councillor and continue to commute between London and Shropshire.

"It has been tough with the family life," he said.

"I underestimated the impact that of that but people won't have much sympathy, and I don't want sympathy.

"I have missed school events and parents' evenings."

He has been a councillor for 14 years and leader of the council for eight years.

"If I were to resign and there was a by-election it would cost £25,000 and the people would not thank me for causing that," he added.

Davies has only attended one out of five possible meetings at the council in the last municipal year and his apologies have been received for three full council meetings, including those which set the council tax.

Davies had been a member of Great Dawley Town Council, but stepped down from that role in a decision he described as "bittersweet."

The MP said he was known in Westminster as "Mr Telford" having mentioned the constituency more than 60 times since his election last summer.

"I am not going to be an MP that forgets my home town," he said.

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