Ellee Seymour

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today failed to turn up for the launch of Britain’s first bioethanol plant. He was due to perform the opening ceremony.

Neither was he in the Commons to answer questions about the latest reported outbreak of foot and mouth at Pirbright. He took the easy way out by slipping out the information by written statement.

Food and Farming Minister Lord Rooker stepped in to his shoes for the Norfolk bioethanol launch at the last minute.

I’ve just spoken to my MEP Robert Sturdy about this, he was among the guests who did turn up for the launch. He was told that the Environment Secretary was unable to attend as he personally had be in the Commons to make a statement on foot and mouth, but as we know he did not turn up.

So where was Hilary Benn today, have you seen him?

What I would also like to know is, how many outlets are there for this fuel in the UK, what does it cost compared to unleaded petrol, and will our Government be leading the way by insisting all its vehicles are run on this “green fuel”?

How can government pick and choose the time it wishes to consult with the public?

Its decision to suspend consultations over proposed Post Office closures in the run-up to next May’s local council elections is immoral.

It clearly demonstrates that it wants to control the consultation process and bury any potentially bad news in advance of it happening.

Public consultations have begun on the closure of 2,500 branches around the UK. But in a letter to every subpostmaster in England and Wales, the Post Office said that the Government had suspended the consultation process in the three weeks leading up to local authority elections in England and Wales on May 2 next year.

It’s a decision that can only backfire on the government.

I’m delighted to hear that Sir Paul McCartney values his local Post Office too and is supporting a local campaign to retain one which is proposed for closure near one of his homes.

Who can disagree with his words:

"This village post office is a vital part of local community life and as such should be saved for future generations to cherish.

"Its 100-year history should not be cast aside lightly. I agree with thousands of local people who feel that everything must be done to save it. Please help!

Surely this consultation is particularly crucial in the run-up to an election because it will make politicians listen and act on what is important to local people. It’s the time to be talking, and not halting the dialogue.