Clive Sneddon says "Save our local Post Offices"

2.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 10th May 2006

Dundee East Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Dr Clive Sneddon has today (Wednesday 10th May) criticised the New Labour government for recklessly undermining the Post Office network, and for having no plan to improve the situation.

Clive said, "Dundee residents benefit from the network of local Post Offices in the city. In the UK as a whole, more than 2,500 have closed since 2003, and the decision to end the Post Office Card Account for pension and benefit payments in 2010 will accelerate local Post Office closures. The people who will suffer most from this are the more vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly, disabled and those without transport of their own.

"Only the Liberal Democrats have a plan which will save the post office network. Our plan will separate Post Office Ltd from Royal Mail, and keep the post office in the public sector. This will free the Post Office from Royal Mail restrictions to let it develop new business. Funding to develop the Post Office will come from selling minority shares in Royal Mail, which will become a company partly owned by its staff on the model of the John Lewis Partnership. The Government's role is to continue the Post Office Account beyond 2010 and pass a new legal requirement for the Government to maintain the local Post Office network.

Clive Sneddon concluded: "Please join me in campaigning to save the Post Office Card Account by signing the petition by following the link below and e-mailing me at clivesneddon@mac.com to let me know you have done so. Thank you."

Last week, Dundee LibDem Council Group Leader Cllr Fraser Macpherson signed a petition at Perth Road Post Office in support of local Post Offices. Again, you can read more by following the second link below.

Related Links:

Sign the LibDem "Save Our Post Offices" petition here.

Dundee LibDem councillor signs Post Office Petition.