Tories seek post office rethink
Written: 19th March, 2008
The Conservatives are hoping to put controversial plans to close 2,500 post offices to the vote in Parliament.
They will use an opposition debate in the Commons to highlight protests against the closures which have led to legal challenges to keep them open.
Shadow business secretary Alan Duncan will urge Labour MPs to "put constituents above party politics" and back calls to save the post offices.
The closures are necessary to reduce weekly losses of £4m, ministers insist.
he Tories say a number of Labour MPs and ministers have campaigned against branch closures in their own constituencies - but are still likely to vote against suspending the move.
"We know which Labour ministers and MPs are against post office closures - we will see today the true extent of their conviction," Mr Duncan said.
"It is all well and good Labour MPs issuing warm words but now we have a chance to act together to save our post offices.
"Their constituents would simply not understand how they could say one thing locally, and then not vote in support of saving their post offices when given the chance.
"Hundreds of thousands of people will be badly let down if MPs put party politics ahead of the concerns of their constituents."
Conservative leader David Cameron visited a post office in Fulham, London, that is destined for closure, while celebrities, including comedienne Victoria Wood, joined a demonstration against the closure of a branch in Highgate, north London.
Ms Wood, who has lived within walking distance of the post office for 15 years, said: "It's madness to close this post office that is bang in the middle of the village.
"It is brilliant and staffed by lovely people. I would chain myself to a pillar box if I thought it would do any good."
Source BBC news