In response to the proposals from the Post Office Ltd, I met immediately with their management representatives in Westminster to hear about the planned closure of post offices in London Road, Fore Street and Christchurch Street. I was concerned to hear that they were not aware of the residential development close to Fore Street and questioned their assessment of the London Road neighbourhood, which they had based on car ownership statistics from the DVLA. I have campaigned with Ipswich Labour Party colleagues to ensure as many residents as possible have the chance to submit their views to the Post Office. I also met with a representative of the consumer group Postwatch and I share their concerns about the capacity of the receiving branches at Carr Street and Tower Ramparts, to cope with additional customers.

I also met with managers from E.On about their withdrawal from the former Eastern Electricity site at Wherstead Park. Whilst the company was determined to consolidate its corporate billing activity with the rest of its functions in Coventry, I was reassured they were continuing to negotiate on redundancy terms with the properly recognised trade union - Prospect.

The Prime Minister was clear he wants to take time to set out his vision for the country and his style of governance rather than rush to a General Election. The Queen's Speech - which outlined the forthcoming legislative programme - contained many bold policies that will work towards achieving the aims of the people of Ipswich. The Housing and Regeneration Bill puts affordable housing within the reach of the many, not just the few, supporting the delivery of 3 million new homes by 2020. The Education and Skills Bill will take the historic step of ensuring all young people stay in education or training until the age of 18. The Health and Social Care Bill will provide patient centred treatment and introduce stringent controls on ward hygiene. The Climate Change Bill will make the UK the first nation to introduce legally binding CO2 reduction targets to tackle global warming.

These policies are not short term. They are visionary changes to our town's homes, schools, NHS and environment - a programme of reform not just for this generation but Ipswich's next generation, and the generation after that.

In Westminster I met with representatives of the Police Federation from Suffolk. I have also arranged for Bob Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the University Campus Suffolk to meet with the Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell MP, so he could hear of the progress in the development of our university and future proposals for its expansion.

I have also been taking part in an enquiry organised by EURIM - The European Information Society Group - on Transformational Government indentifying and promoting good practice in the use of information systems disciplines (not just technology) to help deliver efficient, effective, joined-up, socially inclusive and accessible public services, when and where these are most needed.

In Ipswich I visited the Prince's Trust in their new Queen's Street offices, attended an Auction Dinner in support of the Ipswich Foyer, and jointly handed over a cheque to support the Ability Counts disabled sports initiative with David Sheepshanks and Richard Howitt MEP prior to the home match against Preston North End. I also spent a Saturday morning in Ipswich Barnardo's Shop on Make a Difference Day, an event to encourage participation in volunteering.

I have also met with Age Concern to discuss a range of issues affecting older people, including progress on the re-provision of tea rooms in Ipswich and also with Adrienne Wakeling, field officer for the Royal British Legion to hear about their support for former forces personnel and their families, and their current campaign - Honour the Covenant.

I was also pleased to help promote Specials' Weekend with two such volunteer police officers Dean and Julie and together we patrolled the town centre on a Saturday evening. We were joined by Special Constabulary Chief Officer Martin Ashburn to see how Special Officers give their own time to support full time police and community support officers to sustain law and order in our town. I heard how Special Officers are now equipped to the same standard as full time officers, and whilst they valued the training they had received they would like more.

Chris Mole MP

Word of the month - prorogue - to discontinue a session of (the British Parliament or a similar body)