MPs fight postal closures

8:51am Thursday 20th March 2008

Support is mounting for the Times Series campaign to save Barnet's post offices, with MPs giving their backing this week.

All three of the borough's politicians joined our fight against the eight proposed closures in the area.

But there were mixed reaction to the Conservative motion presented in Parliament on Wednesday which called for the 2,500 post offices threatened across the UK to be saved.

Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, voted in favour of the motion, but it was defeated by 20 votes.

She said: "It is very important for many of my constituents who are busy signing petitions, and we were hoping on the support of Labour MPs," she said.

"Across the country many Labour MPs are campaigning, and if they are going to be consistent, they should have voted in favour. It is hugely disappointing for us and constituents."

But she said campaigners should not give up.

"It is fantastic the Times is taking an interest in the issue. We have the chance to get the Post Office to change its mind. Post offices are crucially important and we should be encouraging localised services."

Labour MP for Hendon Andrew Dismore voted for the motion to suspend the closures, but he said: "It is a Tory party stunt and they have made no indication of where the money to save the post offices would come from.

"We need to look into the facts of each one up for closure to see if it can be justified to stay open. The motion is just populist politics of the worst kind."

But Mr Dismore insisted he would fight the closures. He added: "I am happy to support the Times campaign, it's very good. What we are seeing here is the community coming together to protest against the closures.

"There is only one post office in Hendon that may close, but I will campaign to save all the others in the borough."

Rudi Vis, Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, was away on Council of Europe business and was unable to vote for the motion.

He has written to Anita Turner, network development manager for the Post Office, outlining the effect it will have on his constituents. He said: "Post offices are a lifeline for many in our community, including the elderly, the disabled, those with young children and those without bank accounts. We must fight to keep them open.

"Decisions made in the past to close other outlets, such as the crown post office in Finchley, have had a bearing on existing offices. No decision should be made without taking into account past decisions."

With less than two weeks until the consultation period ends, Barnet Council accused the Post Office of refusing to share financial information and hampering discussions on ways to retain or relocate services.

Council leader Mike Freer said: "The Post Office seems absolutely determined to close the branches. It cares so little about the future of the service, it even stands in the way of councils looking to provide replacements."

The Post Office refuted the accusation and a spokeswoman said: "The Post Office is having constructive discussions with a number of councils about the future funding of branches. It is absolute nonsense to suggest we would obstruct any positive approach."

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced plans to take Royal Mail to court in a bid to save 171 post offices, arguing the consultation is flawed.

Editor's Choice