To my great relief the Government announced last Thursday that it had stopped the tendering process, demanded by Europe, for the renewal of the Post Office Card Account, and awarded the contract to the Post Office, thus probably saving from closure another 3,000 post offices. 
It is excellent that the Government has actually listened to the people and acted on our views. 
As it has stood up to Europe on this issue there is hope it might do it again on other issues, for example, the over rigid enforcement of the European Working Time Directive.
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However while it is good news for those Card Account holders who still have a local post office it is no comfort to those about to lose theirs under the network change programme. 
Readers will see elsewhere in this week's Shuttle reports of cross party activity fighting a rearguard action against current closures based on a meaningless consultation process. 

We know several of the detailed responses were never seen by Postwatch, the so-called consumer protection organisation, which was supposed to be closely involved with the consultation process throughout.
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On a brighter note MPs met Rebecca Romero, the cycling Gold Medallist at the recent Olympics who also won a rowing Silver Medal in 2004, at a reception for the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR) on Tuesday. 

She spoke passionately about the benefits of competitive sport for young people. The aim was to recognise the enormous public policy benefits which sports clubs deliver to their communities in terms of health, social cohesion, crime reduction, education and skills and to highlight the need for Gift Aid to be allowed on junior subscriptions to sports clubs through membership of Community Amateur Sports Clubs (cascinfo.co.uk). 
I was pleased to learn that some of our sports clubs in Kidderminster, Stourport, Bewdley and Chaddesley are already members and I hope others will join them to experience the benefits of membership.
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We are coming to the end of this Parliamentary year which we expect to finish on 27 November. The new session will start with the Queen's Speech on 3 December. 

Before then there are several Bills to be completed and still some disagreements between the House of Commons and the Lords. Ping pong between the two Houses sometimes goes on quite late but usually ends with the Government getting its way but perhaps with slight modifications.
Thank goodness there appears to be agreement about the important parts of the Climate Change Bill which is raising the targets for cutting carbon emissions. This has been welcomed by everyone.
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It is worth remembering that it was the House of Lords who made the Government drop the idea of 42-day pre-trial detention. 
So the Government does not get its own way all the time especially if it senses a large rebellion on its own benches. 

During debates on Regional Accountability last week the Government lost a vote on an amendment by just two votes (two from Independents!). Sensing defeat in other amendments they allowed them through without a vote to avoid the humiliation of defeat. 
So, if the Government is wrong in the opinion of MPs representing their constituents' views, defeat is possible.