Mike Evemy writes to the Gazette and Herald about Post Office closures (North Wiltshire Liberal Democrats)

North Wiltshire Liberal Democrats <info@northwiltslibdems.org.uk>

Mike Evemy writes to the Gazette and Herald about Post Office closures

February 14, 2008 9:00 AM

Mike Evemy writes:

"Your coverage in last week's edition of the proposed closure of Post Offices in North Wiltshire was both encouraging and inevitable.

Royal Mail's plan to close or change the service provided by ten Post Offices in North Wiltshire is a devastating blow to every one of the affected communities. I am pleased to see that every community wants to keep its Post Office - they are a lifeline for many local people. The Liberal Democrats support their campaigns. We have set up a website www.savewiltshirespostoffices.org.uk for people across Wiltshire to register their opposition to the closure plans.

These closure proposals are an inevitable consequence of the Government's approach to the Post Office and the services it provides for us. The loss of the television licence contract and the push for direct debit payment of pensions and benefits have taken vital business away from our Post Offices. 4,000 post offices have already closed under Labour and a further 2,500 are set to close in 2008.

Royal Mail Group's ownership of the Post Office network is a distraction for a business which is now operating in a competitive market. Royal Mail cannot continue to subside the Post Office network.

We need a solution which provides both vital investment in our Post Office network and allows Royal Mail to compete with other mail suppliers. The Liberal Democrats have a costed plan which does just this. It will deliver £2bn in investment to revitalise our Post Offices by selling 50% of Royal Mail to employees and investors. We would also give Post Offices greater freedom to expand the products and services they offer.

As well as campaigning against the closure plans, we must put pressure on our MPs and the Government to address their underlying cause."