Bruce today expressed bitter disappointment at the decision of Post Office Ltd to go ahead with the closures of two local Post Offices - Delves and Stafford Street.

Speaking today Bruce said “Despite numerous representations from myself and the local community regrettably the Post Office has decided to go ahead and close these two important local braches. I am deeply disappointed by their decision as I believe both Post Offices provided vital services to the local community, especially for the elderly and disabled.”

Bruce George yesterday hosted a reception in Parliament for the Staffordshire Regiment, the Worcester and Foresters Regiment and the Cheshire Regiment, which combined form the recently created Mercian Regiment.

Staffordshire soldiers have been praised for their dedication and commitment to the Armed Forces at a special parliamentary reception hosted by the Walsall South MP.

Bruce was joined by a number of other MPs who welcomed a small party of officers, soldiers and their wives of the new Mercian Regiment to Westminster last night. The regiment was officially launched amid some controversy in September of last year. Its creation followed the amalgamation of The Staffordshire Regiment, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, The 22nd Cheshire Regiment and TA Battalions from across the area.

Mr George told the party many MPs fought the merger tooth-and-nail. But he continued: “We have to face reality and soldiers know how to make the best of the situation presented to them. I am sure the merger is functioning properly.

He commended the soldiers’ sacrifices, adding: “We are exceedingly fortunate to have the men and women who are in the British forces. They are a very dedicated group of people and it’s an honour to welcome the Regiment to the House of Commons.”

“For a long, long time we have held a reception for The Staffordshire Regiment, we will continue to do this with the Mercian Regiment as long as I am able to maintain this tradition.”

Brigadier Andrew Sharpe, Deputy Colonel of The Mercian Regiment, said: “It is extremely important for us that the people who represent our families and our soldiers stay in touch.”

The Rt. Hon Bruce George MP and the Henry Jackson Society yesterday welcomed Ron Silver, one of America’s leading actors, highly acclaimed for playing the role of Bruno Gianelli in the award winning US series The West Wing, to the House of Commons. He discussed his role in the West Wing, his views on the Presidential US elections and the importance of the America’s special relationship with Britain. He also addressed the critical and challenging foreign policy issues that the new President will face during his first term in office.

Bruce George said “I was delighted to welcome to the House of Commons Ron Silver. He is very impressive not just as an actor, but his CV reveals his strong credentials as an analyst of international relations and domestic US politics. He was able to give us unique insights into both US politics and the West Wing. I found it especially interesting to hear that the two actors in the West Wing treated their fictional election as reality, lobbying the writers for their character to win the election. They treated it like a year long campaign! ”

It seems that in real life, the US Presidential elections are reflecting the plot of the US drama series the West Wing. The sixth and seventh seasons featured a Presidential election between a young and charismatic but inexperienced Latino Senator and a Washington veteran with a maverick streak. The similarities with the 2008 U.S. presidential candidates are striking. Indeed West Wing writer and producer Eli Attie openly admits that Senator Barack Obama provided the inspiration for the character Matthew Santos. Current trends, however, suggest that reality may not stick to the script. Ron Silver will discuss the fascinating parallels and differences between the West Wing and real-life presidential elections.

Ron Silver said, “I am delighted to be speaking in Parliament thanks to Bruce George and the Henry Jackson Society to discuss the importance of the US Presidential Elections and the special relationship between the U.S and Britain. We share a common history and values and we need to strengthen the bond between our two great nations to meet the global challenges that we face from the current economic crisis, a resurgent Russia, proliferation of nuclear weapons and the ever present threat of terrorism. Only by our great nations standing together can we meet these global challenges that lay in wait for the next President.”

Ron Silver is a member of Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Program Committee of the Wilson Council at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Silver, who was a Democrat for many years, has recently been a supporter of the US “War Against Terror” after the 9/11 attacks. On October 7, 2005, Silver was nominated by President Bush to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace. He has also written for the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Silver attended law school and holds a Master’s degree in Chinese History.

Pupils at Chuckery Primary School were delighted to share lunch with local MP Bruce George today and advise him on healthy eating.

Bruce was keen to congratulate the school on significantly improving the food since taking over the catering service in April. The number of pupils now eating lunch at the school has increased by around 20% and Bruce wanted to see these dramatic improvements first hand.

Having sampled the food Bruce commented, ‘I am really pleased to see a school in Walsall that is taking nutritional issues so seriously. Not only is there a great choice of delicious food, but it is all healthy.’Pupils shared their thoughts about healthy eating with Bruce, who left having been advised what to include in a healthy diet.

Head Teacher, Margaret Lever said, ‘We are really proud of the menus we offer, well nourished children are better learners and behave better. The children talk about their food and how it helps them to learn and are always keen to speak about this to everyone.’

Bruce also spoke with pupils about how they are able to share breakfast with their parents every day. Parent Governor, Sue Ebbans, who helps out in the ‘Healthy Hut’ at lunchtimes commented that, ‘I bring my son every day, its brilliant to meet with other parents to chat over a satisfying breakfast.’

It has been said many times that life often imitates art. With the current Presidential election between Barack Obama and John McCain many commentators are highlighting the similarities between the current election and that in the extremely popular American TV show The West Wing. In The West Wing the election was fought between Matt Santos, a young Democratic outsider from an ethnic minority and Arnold Vinnick an older Republican who was known for going against his own party.

In real life the Democratic candidate Barack Obama is also a relatively young politician with only a few years in national politics, and John McCain is similarily a Republican with many years in the Senate and who is known as being a maverick. It remains to be seen whether the West Wing’s election result, of a Democratic win, and the first ever Latino President will be mirrored in real life with the first ever Black President. This week I will be hosting an event in Parliament with one of the West Wing actors (Ron Silver) who will talk to politicians about the similarities between the two elections and the relationship between the UK and the USA. It promises to be a fascinating discussion.

Readers will be aware of my very long-standing commitment to minimising domestic violence. This has led to me to give enormous support to the Walsall Domestic Violence Forum. I recently said through the columns of this newspaper that the organisation had suffered a reduction of £50,000 (in fact £53,000) in its funding in the 2007-08 financial year.

Councillor Garry Perry, the responsible Cabinet member strongly dissented from those figures. I repeat and stand by what I said. Cllr Perry stated that the original sum of £188,000 (originally all funding was cut) was cut to £165,000 due to what the Council called “a period of reduced activity” by the Forum. I have since found out that during this so-called period of “reduced activity” the Forum received 588 referrals to its three support services (Stepping Stones, SAYA and Crisis Intervention Service), worked with over 160 children and trained over 470 people. I don’t know about you, but this does not sound like “reduced activity” to me.

To maintain the quality of their excellent services many of the dedicated staff had to make personal financial sacrifices. Their finances were further impeded when they were not allowed to claim £14,000 of their allocated budget because of the rigidity of the Council’s budgetary process. Combating domestic violence is a major government priority. Unfortunately the money is not ring-fenced as it should be, leaving too much discretion in the hands of the local authority. With adequate government funding the Council should redouble its efforts to substantially reduce this growing curse.

I would also like to raise the issue of Darlaston Community Science College and the proposed Academy. Over the last week there have been just two opportunities for parents and the local community to take part in the consultation, where they have vocally expressed their grave concerns about the proposed academy, partly due to a lack of clarity and meaningful consultation. I think there should now be an independent vote of the parents to determine what they want to see happen to the school. It is my belief that there are preferable options to academy status, but if the parents choose to move forward with an academy then they should be given all the options including the choice of sponsors and their suitability to meet the needs of the local community.