NEWLY-elected Dudley South MP Mike Wood took his opportunity to sing the praises of the Black Country and his predecessor in his maiden speech in Parliament.

Councillor Wood, who also represents Pedmore and Stourbridge East on Dudley Council, made his first speech in the Commons on Monday June 1.

He paid tribute to former Dudley South Conservative MP Chris Kelly who stood down after serving just a single term, crediting him with having "left his mark both locally and nationally" and being a strong voice in Parliament for family businesses.

Cllr Wood continued: "Chris’s independence of mind and determination to stand up for his principles were greatly valued by his constituents, if not always by the Government Whips.

"Chris’s work as founder chairman of the all-party group on combating metal theft helped to secure changes to the law, banning cash payments and introducing an effective licensing scheme for scrap metal traders. 

"The resulting fall in metal theft, seen clearly in the West Midlands in particular, is a fitting legacy for his tireless work in this area."

Cllr Wood also took time to give a shout out to the Black Country's famous glass quarter and paid tribute to Netherton's chain-making past and link to ill-fated Ocean liner Titanic. 

He said: "The town still takes pride in having produced the anchor for the Titanic, which was the biggest in the world at the time." 

When the comment was met with laughter, the quick thinking rookie MP defended his comment by saying: "It may seem like an odd boast, but whatever criticisms people have made of the Titanic, I have never heard anybody say a bad word about its anchor."

He also used the speech to hint that his constituency should be renamed 

He said: "Despite its name, Dudley South does not actually cover the town of Dudley—perhaps something for the Boundary Commission to reflect upon."

And he took the opportunity to promote Kingswinford's Ketley Quarry - saying: "It would be remiss of me not to mention the nearby quarry just between Kingswinford and Pensnett should house builders be looking for bricks to meet the Government’s new house building programme."

To watch video footage of the full speech in the Commons click here.