Madam, Thank you to Bill Webb and Charlotte Reynolds for their recent letters to the Gazette, which raise many important issues.

In response to Charlotte: I have been very actively involved in helping young people across the county. I co-ordinated local opposition to the school closure proposals in 2008, via my website http://www.schoolsfirst.org.uk">www.schoolsfirst.org.uk. I ran a work experience programme for young people across South Herefordshire earlier this year. I have helped to create the first youth theatre project in the county, at the Kindle Centre in Hereford. And I am very interested in the new plans to improve Ross Sports Centre.

On the other issue you raise: Yes, this government has shamefully neglected our armed forces in many ways. These include provision of equipment, helicopters, the replacement of Snatch Land Rovers, treatment of the wounded, support for families, and transition to civilian life.

Conservative policies include overhauling the procurement process to get our troops better kit, air support and vehicles; doubling the operational allowance for a six-month tour; a new veteran's mental health support service; further education scholarships for the children of servicemen and women killed on active duty; new career paths into teaching for ex-service personnel; and assistance to service charities.

We are incredibly lucky to have Help for Heroes, which I have myself supported in many different ways. But even Help for Heroes is not, and should never be, a substitute for effective and caring government.

In response to Bill: my view is that an MP should be a strong local champion with an independent mind, who is not afraid to question received wisdom or party dogma when an issue of principle is at stake, as I have done myself over issues of personal freedom. But on many issues, such as polytunnels and wind energy, the right approach is a balanced one.

As regards Post Offices, I ran a countywide campaign to preserve our local Post Offices in 2007-9, and took a coachload of local protesters and a 10,000-signature petition to Downing Street to make the case. A more thoughtful approach to preserving our village communities would see rural Post Offices not as 'wasteful', but as essential hubs to which many other local services can be added.

Jesse Norman, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate