It’s a funny old job, being an MP. One moment I’m getting the mickey taken out of me for my sometimes base and fruity use of the English language in all its glorious Anglo-Saxon forms and the next I find myself invited to become a patron of the Campaign for Courtesy!

Reading West MP Martin Salter has called for Sir Fred Goodwin to be stripped of his knighthood which he was awarded in 2004 for “services to banking.” Sir Fred was chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland from 2000 to 2008, and took early retirement a month before RBS announced the largest loss in UK corporate history.

Martin Salter has welcomed the announcement this week from the Secretary of State for Transport that there would be a public inquiry into the decision by the Whitchurch Bridge Company to double the toll charges between Pangbourne and Whitchurch from 20p to 40p.

I would like to start by thanking people for the hundreds of letters and emails that I’ve had from right across Reading wishing me well following my announcement that I would be stepping down at the next election after 25 years of public life in Reading.

Reading West MP Martin Salter has successfully sponsored a cross-party Ten Minute Rule Bill that would allow Parliament to vote on any proposed major airport expansion. The Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval) Bill would amend the Planning Act 2008 to require Parliamentary approval before new airports and new runways at existing airports could be built. Ten Minute Rule Bills usually fail to achieve progress in the Commons but the Government unexpectedly lost a vote on Tuesday by 247 to 203 and the Bill will now proceed to the Second Reading stage.

Reading West MP Martin Salter joined postal workers from Reading at a rally organised by the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) which aims to put pressure on the Government to keep the Royal Mail in public ownership.

It’s been a memorable couple of weeks for all sorts of reasons. On Friday January 30th I celebrated 25 years of public life in Reading with a reception and party at the South Street Arts Centre. It was great to catch up with old friends and colleagues with whom I’ve worked and campaigned over the years.

Labour Party members in Reading West are being informed this week that Labour MP Martin Salter has decided to stand down at the next general election, after more than 25 years of public service in the town.

25 years ago Reading West MP, Martin Salter, first entered public life in Reading as a local councillor.

Reading West MP Martin Salter, who made it through yesterday’s snow to be in Parliament, has praised the public services in Reading for keeping the town moving in difficult weather conditions, in marked contrast to the scenes of chaos he witnessed in London.