South Manchester Liberal Democrat MP John Leech has tabled a motion in Parliament opposing the Labour Government's plan to privatise Chorlton Post Office. The MP has also applied for an adjournment debate in Parliament on the issue.
The Government's privatisation plans have been pushed through without consulting the local people who will be affected and there has been outrage among the thousands of residents who regularly use Chorlton Post Office.
John Leech said:
"It is outrageous that the Labour Government have taken the decision to privatise Chorlton Post Office without consulting local people. I have been inundated with correspondence from residents who are furious about the lack of consultation and have concerns about the effect the privatisation will have on the service that the Post Office gives."
"Chorlton Post Office is extremely well used and is a vital part of the Chorlton Community. Chorlton has suffered from the closure of Beech Road Post Office recently. Any drop in the level of service provided at Chorlton Post Office would be wholly unacceptable."
"I will be encouraging my colleagues in Parliament to back this motion."
He concluded:
"I hope that Government will take note and start to work constructively with local residents to improve the Post Office network instead of destroying it through closures and sell offs."
End
Notes to editors:
Early Day Motion 2687
FRANCHISING OF CHORLTON CROWN POST OFFICE
09.10.2006
Leech, John
That this House is appalled that Post Office Ltd has decided to privatise Chorlton Crown Post Office without consultation with local people; regrets that the Government, as majority shareholder, has not intervened to stop the closure; and urges the Government to introduce a moratorium on Crown Post Office sales without full and proper consultation with local residents.
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