East London Line

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Jan 2004

Christmas should be the busiest time for Post Offices. But instead another round of branch closures is threatening Islington; part of something laughably called 'Urban Network Reinvention', backed by the Labour Government. Islington residents have among the lowest levels of car ownership and highest housing densities of any London borough. So a 'one size fits all' approach to planning Post Offices just doesn't work here. This is a classic example of national policy having a negative local impact - and a classic case for action by our local MPs. We can all speak out, but our MPs have one unique advantage - they can actually vote and so influence the policies that we all have to live with. Except in this case, they didn't. When the Labour Government proposed support for the closure programme, not a single Labour MP voted against it. Now I believe strongly that governments must be able to count on the support of their colleagues to deliver manifesto pledges. But closing Post Offices is certainly not something Labour was elected to do - and both our MPs have rebelled on other issues. So why did they fail to stand up for Islington on this? It makes any support they belatedly pledge for local post offices ring very hollow. Meanwhile the Liberal Democrat council has been following the example of LibDem MPs and backing local Post Offices. We are boosting Post Office business by encouraging residents to pay rent and other council bills there, and my colleague Cllr Keith Sharp is conducting an enquiry into how and why we should support local post offices. Please let us know your views on this. I've written before about our campaign to bring a link to the East London Line to Caledonian Road & Barnsbury station. This would give the area a tube stop, regenerate local shops, relieve pressure on the busy interchange at Highbury & Islington, and give something back to a neighbourhood that's put up with the side effects of other rail works for many years. I'm glad to report that the Strategic Rail Authority has agreed to consider the proposal - we'll certainly be keeping the pressure up for this next year. Another boost to the area was last Saturday's 'Cally Road is switched on' event - a celebration involving many local businesses who put up their own Christmas lights with backing from Islington Council. A lively crowd led by the Mayor enjoyed steel band music and mulled wine, and gave a boost to local traders. The Mayor took pride of place at another event last weekend - the Carol Service at St Mary's church. I was lucky to be in the choir, singing alongside some amazingly talented soloists, with carols old & new - including an original piece by organist Andrew Adegun. The joy and excitement was a wonderful start to the Christmas season. Islington is home to people of many faiths and of none: whatever your own belief, I wish you a very happy Christmas and a hopeful New Year.