Derbyshire Dales Liberal Democrats oppose Post Office Closures

12.00.00am GMT Sun 10th Dec 2006

Liberal Democrats petition No 10

The Government's predicted announcement of plans to close up to 3,000 Post Offices will have a profound effect on so many rural and out-of-town urban communities. In particular, the more vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly, disabled and those without their own transport, will be disadvantaged by the closure of what are, in effect, a social service for so many people.

Liberal Democrats have been at the forefront of the campaign to save our Post Offices and indeed Liberal Democrat MPs warned of the imminent closure risk earlier this year. Many of the Post Offices at most risk are also the 'local shop', providing other services as well. Closure could mean that the other services follow suit, with disastrous repercussions for the viability of the whole community.

The Post Office network has been undermined in recent years by the badly thought out transfer of pension and benefit payments to the banking system, soon to be exacerbated by the loss of Post Office card accounts from 2010.

Liberal Democrats have been alone over the past year in promoting their ambitious plans to end the decline of the Post Office network. We propose a £2 billion investment in our Post Office network, with new branches opened where there is a need. The Post Office would also be freed from Royal Mail restrictions, so that it can develop new business, but remain in the public sector. By establishing a new mixed ownership model for Royal Mail the money needed can be raised to invest in our Post Offices and a trust for Royal Mail employees would be set up, to enable them to own part of the company and take part in its management.

A total of over 7,500 Post Offices have closed under the last Tory and present Labour governments. We need to halt this trend now.

Related Link:

Stoney Middleton Post Office opening cut from 6 days a week to 6 hours.