David Miliband MP, the Foreign Secretary, visited Woodley's Oakwood Centre last Thursday evening along with Anneliese Dodds, Labour's Parliamentary spokesperson for Reading East.

Mr Miliband came to Woodley to meet with local Labour Party members and supporters and hear about their views and opinions, both about the local area and national and international politics.

He answered questions on a variety of issues, including on from how to rebuild faith in parliament following the expenses scandal; the future for public services; and how green jobs can be created and sustained. But most of the debate centered on Mr Miliband's role as Foreign Secretary, and the Labour Government's actions to increase aid money to the poorest countries and to reduce conflict in war-torn regions like Kashmir, and promote and support democratic governance in Pakistan.

David Miliband MP said: "It is great to be campaigning for two Reading seats after the next election.  Candidates and MPs came into Labour politics because of what we stand for about the future of the country - come election time people need to know what we stand for: equal opportunity; that we have commitments to people that stretch beyond the boundaries of race, religion or borders; that rights come with responsibilities and that if you don't have a fair society you don't have a society that is healthy, wealthy or wise.

"Anneliese is an excellent candidate and I wish her and the new candidate in Reading West all the best of luck."

Anneliese said: "I was very pleased that the Foreign Secretary was able to visit Woodley. Many people in Reading East have friends and family living in some of the poorest and most conflict-ridden areas of the world.

It was great, therefore, to have the opportunity to pose questions to David Miliband about the work the Government is doing to alleviate international poverty and to promote regional and global stability".