Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Save our Post Offices !
Cllr.John Beanse today welcomed the special debate called by Liberal Democrats in Parliament on the future of Britain's post offices. He said: "We have already lost key branches in Waltham Forest and the service to the public is much worse than was once available. Now the Government seems to be determined to see another lot of post offices close. This misguided policy must stop. Post offices perform an important service for the public and that must be recognised. Any idea of closing more branches must be opposed and resisted strongly."
BACKGROUND:
The Liberal Democrats have put themselves at the head of a nationwide campaign to save Britain's post office network following the Government's failure to take the tough decisions necessary to save our post office and Royal Mail services. After reports in today's Financial Times that the DTI is set to back another major post office closure programme, the Lib Dems have used their Commons opposition day to call for urgent action.
Update - 18.10.06.
POST OFFICES: GOVERNMENT 'COMPLACENT' AS LIB DEM MOTION IS REJECTED
A Liberal Democrat motion expressing concern over the vulnerability of local post offices and calling on the Government to end the 'paralysis in decision-making' over the Post Office network and Royal Mail was rejected by the Government when the vote was taken in Parliament this week. MPs from all main parties criticised the Government during Monday's opposition day debate over the planned withdrawal of the post office card account and other issues, and called on the Government to bring forward plans for the future of the post office network urgently.Cllr.John Beanse commented: "The Labour party was very quick to condemn post office closures when in opposition. Now the situation is getting far worse and Government ministers appear to react with complacency."
