Post Office Closures a "Disaster for Local Communities"

3.56.24pm GMT Sat 1st Jan 2005

Post Offices will close under Labour

The Labour government's decision to close hundreds of urban Post Offices across the country is hitting home to young families, the disabled and elderly across Southampton.

Steve Sollitt, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Southampton Test said, "The closures planned across the City are a real kick in the teeth to local communities who rely on these facilities. It is clear that where locals were advised to fight to keep the facilities, the decision had already been made and the consultation was just a farce."

He added "I have seen letters from the Post Office that make it very clear that the plan is to reduce the number of outlets and looking at ideas including the merging of Post Offices into local shops is not an option"

"I agree with the comments from the two Labour MPs in the city who say that the local communities have been ignored in this process but it is their government who have paved the way for these closures. The figures speak for themselves, under Labour 3595 Post Offices have closed since 1997 and the Tories are no better, closing 3334 between 1981 an 1997"