Lib Dems take to streets to fight Post Office closures

6.44.29pm GMT Tue 19th Feb 2008

Angry residents and Liberal Democrat campaigners took to the streets on Tuesday as the Government-backed plans for more Post Office closures were revealed.

The Royal Mail's plans to shut down yet more post offices will hit people in Islington very hard. Two post offices in Caledonian Road and one in Blackstock Road, now face the axe, hitting hundreds of vulnerable people - particularly pensioners and the disabled. But the Royal Mail, who today launched a six week consultation on the new round of closures, says it must close these branches to save money.

This follows the separate plans to close Essex Road post office.

Cllr Meral Ece, Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Assembly, said "Many vulnerable people rely on their local post office. The main post offices already have very long queues. Instead of improving services in response to this demand, the Labour government has supported these measures to deny people vital local services"

"I've started a petition to keep these branches open. It's already attracting a great deal of support, and I'll be passing it on the Post Office as part of their consultation."

"Meanwhile, we learn that Ken Livingstone is wasting taxpayer's money seeking a judicial review. It begs the question whether the Labour Mayor of London is in touch with his own government's policies. He has stood by and let the Labour government's policies seek to destroy local post offices"

Lib Dem Parliamentary campaigner Bridget Fox added "We have already lost 10 post offices in Islington since 1999. We would not be in this mess if Emily Thornberry and other Labour MPs not backed the closure programme. She has betrayed local people."