As the former Chair of the All-Party Group on sub-Post Offices in Parliament I fought for many years to preserve our national network of post offices and I have worked closely with the Communication Workers' Union to keep the Royal Mail in public hands.

I have actively supported a massive campaign along with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to ensure continued Government support and funding for this vital service - not least guaranteeing a future for the Post Office Card Account which is both highly valued by pensioners and an essential part of post offices' finances.

We have held rallies of thousands of postmasters, delivered a petition of four million signatures to Downing Street, and my Early Day Motion on this is one of the largest ever with over 390 signatories. The Government must recognise the distress and uncertainty around the country and take action to resolve it.