Local Reading West MP Martin Salter has helped launch a new Government keep fit campaign. "I have been worried for some time about poor fitness levels amongst the elderly, so it is good to see that the Government are finally taking this problem seriously. An enforced walk of an extra two miles a week will do them a world of good."

Despite his positive spin, closing Post Offices is seen as a vote loser and the Labour Vice Chairman has pledged to repeat his unspirited defence of the Caversham Road Sorting Office. "I can assure my constituents that I will do everything short of actually attacking government policy - it really won't help my political career."

Rob Wilson MP has also spoken out against the Post Office cuts. "This is a blatent example of the Labour Party stealing Conservative ideas and pretending that they are their own. It was our idea to privatise and close Post Offices and I hope the public don't forget that when Labour start taking the credit for it."