28-07-04
Barrett and Smith join forces to fight Post Office closures
Edinburgh West parliamentarians, John Barrett
MP and Margaret Smith MSP, have promised to fight the mass
post office closures
announced today.
Post Office management have announced their intention to
close 20 post offices in Edinburgh. It forms part of
the Government supported Urban Reinvention Programme, in
which 3,000 branches will be closed nationwide in a major
cost cutting exercise.
There will now follow a 6 week consultation for people to
make objections. Mr Barrett and Ms Smith have promised
to use this period to campaign against the closures and convince
management of the need to reverse their plans.
Commenting, John Barrett MP said:
"I have no doubt that many of my constituents will be
just as angry as me at these closures. If these branches
are shut, Post Office management will be ripping the heart
out of communities acrossEdinburgh.
"There is no question that the blame for these closures
falls squarely at the door of the Labour Government inLondon. Its
policy of forcing people to receive their pensions and benefits
by direct payment is removing up to a third of post office
income.
"Local Labour MPs are going to have to look hard at
their consciences on this issue. Not one of them voted
against the closures when the plan was voted on in the House
of Commons."
Margaret Smith MSP added:
"As someone who grew up in a post office, I know the
important part they play and the vital services they offer. For
society's most vulnerable, they are nothing short of a lifeline. That
is why people are right to feel angry and betrayed.
"We now have 6 weeks to save these post office branches. John
Barrett and I will be using every minute to campaign together
against the proposals.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
•
The Post Office Ltd have today announced their intention
to close the following 20 Edinburgh post offices -
| Saughtonhall | Comely Bank | Murrayfield | Stenhouse Cross |
| Claremont Park | Jock's Lodge | Craigentinny Rd | Joppa |
| Montkonthall | Seafield Road | New Kirkgate | Albert Place |
| Newhaven | Fairmilehead | Mayfield | Gilmerton Dykes |
| Strachan Road | Clermiston | South Gyle | East Craigs |
• The closures form part of the Post Office Urban Reinvention Programme, supported by the UK Government and opposed by the Liberal Democrats. Not one Labour MP voted against the closure plan in the vote in the House of Commons.