MP vows to support suspension of post office closures

Mar 19 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AN MP has vowed to support the suspension of controversial post office closures.

The Government wants to shut 2,500 branches nationwide to stem the loss of £4m a week.

But Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford (pictured) is already backing plans to oppose closures.

Ministers will name the post offices in Kirklees which are due for the axe in August.

Today MPs will debate a Conservative motion calling for the closure programme to be suspended.

Ms Mountford said she was already working to protect post offices in Colne Valley.

She said: “As the local MP I have already asked the minister responsible to pay particular attention to the needs of rural communities, people isolated in their own homes and the elderly.

“I also asked that imaginative solutions like opening post offices in local pubs and shops, or even mobile services where appropriate, should be proposed to keep services local.

“Asking me to take part in an opposition debate is an interesting political tactic, but isn’t an effective way to support local services.”

The comment came after Jason McCartney, Tory Parliamentary candidate for Colne Valley, had written to Ms Mountford asking her to support the motion.

He wrote: “I know you will be in no doubt about the importance of post offices to communities throughout the Colne and Holme valleys and Lindley, and I hope you will be able to speak up for those local communities in the debate on Wednesday and vote in support of these vital local services.”

Mr McCartney added that post offices play a valuable part in community life.

He wrote: “The motion recognises the important role which post offices play in their local communities and the fact that it is the elderly and disabled people who lose out most when a sub-post office closes.

“The motion asks for greater attention to be paid to identifying new business opportunities for post offices and to explore new working arrangements with councils, and calls for the suspension of the closure programme while these issues are being assessed.”