Labour and Conservatives Silent over Post Office Closures

10.03.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 21st Aug 2008

A recent special committee meeting on Post Office closures at Milton Keynes Council heard that the Government's methodology is loading the dice against Milton Keynes yet again - but Labour and Conservative councillors are reluctant to criticise the Government.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson Councillor Jenni Ferrans said: "Once again, the Government is loading the dice against growing communities like Milton Keynes, short-changing our citizens on public services. In the Borough of Milton Keynes, thousands of people will be further away from their nearest Post Office than the Government recommends. Many parish councils have told us that their remaining post offices are already overloaded - and the Post Office will only consider what to do about that AFTER they've confirmed closures!

"I am ashamed of my Labour and Conservative colleagues, who made NO recommendations after the meeting at all, and are still delaying agreement, weeks after the meeting. They are reluctant to criticise the Government's approach. The truth is that decisions by both their governments have landed the Post Office in this mess, and now they want to cut and run, leaving many of our most vulnerable people without access to essential services.

"Liberal Democrats are the only party that has made credible proposals about organising a post office for the 21st century. I am delighted that the Council's Liberal Democrat cabinet has initiated a study to investigate other ways of saving the services.

"We are leading the fight against these closures locally. The other parties are too afraid of their parliamentary colleagues to defend local services for local people."

The deadline for your comments to the Post Office is 26 August. Please don't just say "Save this post office" - they will only take note of comments that give a reason (for example, "the nearest alternative post office is always too busy" or "there is no good bus service to the nearest alternative post office"). Either write to National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM or ring 08457 223344.