David Sutton called in a favour when he invited the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to visit Reading. Mr Sutton said: "I was a bit worried about visiting Mr. Cod in Oxford Road for supper when I remembered the Home Secretary's problems getting a tea time kebab. Martin gave her a call and Jacqui immediately offered to lend me her police protection officers for the day. She knows just how dangerous it is for politicians to be out during the day without a police escort and press officer in tow.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the change to the area? You no longer need a bullet proof vest here, a stab proof one will do... although I think Jo Lovelock should have asked for a larger size. I'm especially grateful to Chris Maskell for disregarding his promise not to get involved in party politics whilst Mayor. It's always comforting to know that there is someone willing to take a bullet for you. And thank goodness the police seem to have forgotten all about not taking part in political stunts in the run up to an election."