"Shameful" Decision to Confirm Labour's Post Office Closures (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

"Shameful" Decision to Confirm Labour's Post Office Closures

August 13, 2008 12:00 AM

John Leech MP at the Post Office petition launch in Manchester city centre

John Leech MP has been campaigning hard to oppose Labour's post office closures

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has condemned the announcement that two post offices in his constituency are going to be closed despite a huge local effort to save them.

John Leech MP has been campaigning hard with other Lib Dem MPs to oppose the post office closures

Despite a petition that gained the support of over 1,500 local residents, which Mr Leech presented in Parliament, and massive local opposition to the decision, it has been decided that both Ladybarn Post Office on Mauldeth Road and Parrs Wood Post Office on Wilmslow Road are to close.

Responding to the news of the closures, John Leech expressed anger and disbelief:

"It is shameful that Post Office Ltd and the Government have completely disregarded the views of local people and have decided to go ahead with the closures of Ladybarn and Parrs Wood post offices."

"It is devastating news for the subpostmasters and a real blow for the hundreds of local people who have made representations in the strongest terms possible to the consultation team, and supported the campaign to save the post offices. This decision will hit the most vulnerable the hardest, with the elderly being particularly badly affected. It is yet another blow to them under this government at a time of rocketing bills and increasing fuel poverty."

Addressing the public consultation, he continued:

"The whole idea of a public consultation should be that it offers a genuine chance for the people who will be affected by a decision to have their say in a constructive debate on the issue. Unfortunately, in this case the consultation has been farcical and one-sided with a real lack of feedback on the part of the consultation team. It appears that there was never any intention to reverse these closures, and that is absolutely appalling."