Launch Of 'Save Our Post Offices' Petition

3.53.00pm GMT Mon 17th Mar 2008

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt this week launched his party's local 'Save our Post Offices' petition, calling on Government to halt its programme to close 2,500 more Post Offices in rural areas.

The petition will be promoted by Liberal Democrats across Worcestershire in the lead up to consultation on proposed local closures this summer.

Richard Burt said: "People are extremely concerned that the Government haven't taken account of the full social and economic costs of closures. They can have a very negative effect on local communities, where the Post Office is often a focal point of village life.

"Thirty-two post offices have closed across Worcestershire since 1999, including five in West Worcestershire. A similar number will be under threat of closure this summer.

"But 3,500 Post Offices also closed during the Conservatives' time in office. The Conservative Government failed to take action to save the post office network. They had no plan to save the post office network and clearly did not realise the value of local post offices to local people. This is something that has followed them into opposition. 10 years after being kicked out of government, the Conservatives still have no clear plan to save the Post Office network.

"4,000 Post Offices have so far closed under Labour. They plan to close at least 2,500 more. The Labour Government has systematically withdrawn services from the Post Office. Last year the value of services withdrawn by Government equalled £168 million, whilst Post Office Ltd made an operating loss of £111 million. Government is largely responsible for the current Post Office crisis.

"Our plan would give a real investment of £2 billion in the Post Office, would increase the services offered at local Post Office branches and improve the network so that every community that needs a Post Office gets one.

"We are the only party with a fully-funded plan to save the Post Office, give it a long-term future and not just manage its decline.

"It is essential that we gain full community support to save vital village Post Offices in the run up to this summer's planned local consultation.

"I will be joining Liberal Democrat colleagues across West Worcestershire in building the campaign over the coming months to defend our Post Offices," added Mr Burt.

You can sign the petition by clicking the STOP Post Office Closures button at the top right of the home page or by visiting http://www.libdems.org.uk/commerce/issues/postoffice.html.