How Shropshire MPs voted on grooming inquiry

It has been revealed how MPs in Shropshire voted in an amendment to Labour’s flagship Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The Conservative Party called for ministers to “develop new legislative proposals for children’s wellbeing including establishing a national statutory inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, focused on grooming gangs”.

However, the amendment was rejected, with it receiving 111 Ayes and 364 Noes. In Shropshire, only Conservative MPs Stuart Anderson (South Shropshire) and Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) voted ‘Aye’.

Shrewsbury’s Labour MP, Julia Buckley voted ‘No’, while Helen Morgan (Lib Dems, North Shropshire) and Shaun Davies (Labour, Telford) did not vote.

The issue has come to the head after Tesla and X owner, Elon Musk ignited a furious row with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over organised child sex abuse in the UK.

Telford & Wrekin Council commissioned an independent inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation (IITCSE) in 2018 and received the findings of Tom Crowther KC’s final report in July 2024.

The final report of the independent inquiry held the council’s work up as ‘a model of best practice that other local authorities could follow to improve child safeguarding’.

Telford has also attracted the attention of right wing activist Tommy Robinson over the organised abuse of children by groups of men. There have also been counter protests by anti-racism groups.

Councillor Lee Carter, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, did not want to be drawn into the Musk row, instead focusing on continuing to support victims.

He said: “Our focus and time as a council is being spent on continuing to ensure that our response to tackling this horrific crime is the best it can be and that survivors continue to play a leading role in that response.

“We will of course play our full part in sharing our experience, expertise and best practice with other areas as required.”

The council has worked with survivors and partners to implement the recommendations detailed in the report. An annual update on progress is due in the summer.