Labour MP Betrays Islington, Votes for Post Office Closures

1.25.00pm GMT Tue 25th Mar 2008

Post offices at Caledonian Road, Blackstock Road, Wilton Way, and Murray Grove remain under threat after the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury voted against a motion in Parliament that was designed to save them. In a pivotal vote in Parliament deciding the fate of the Post Office network in Islington and across the country, Emily Thornberry MP voted against a motion that would have put a halt on the closure of local post offices.

Although she wasn't present to speak in the debate, she arrived at the House of Commons in time to vote against a motion to suspend Post Office closures. The motion was supported by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties. Nineteen Labour rebels, including Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, joined with the Liberal Democrats to vote for the motion.

The effect of the motion would have been to condemn the closures, raise questions about the 'sham' consultation, halt the closure programme, and lay some foundations for improving the Post Office business.

The Government's majority was dramatically cut to twenty- meaning that if only a few more Labour MPs had voted to keep post offices open, the closure programme would have been suspended. In a similar vote in January 2007 Emily Thornberry also voted in favour of the closures.

Councillor Terry Stacy said:

"The hypocrisy of this Labour MP is disgusting . Emily Thornberry told Islington that she was on our side, but every time she's had the chance to vote against post office closures she has refused to do so. Whose side is she really on?

"The post office is a good example of why we need a Liberal Democrat Government and a Liberal Democrat MP in Islington. A Liberal Democrat wouldn't say one thing in public while voting the other way in Parliament.

"The Liberal Democrats have listened to the overwhelming amount of people who want their local post office to stay open, and we are taking the lead in campaigning on this issue. But it's a real shame we can't trust our Labour MP to stand up for Islington."

Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner Bridget Fox adds, "Liberal Democrat MPs have voted against Post Office closures at every stage. So many people have told me how they depend on their local post office. But Emily Thornberry has let local people down."

Details of the motion and vote can be seen online at:

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-03-19&number=131