Post Office closures cancelled… until after the election!

12.00.00am GMT Mon 7th Jan 2008

Government cop out!!!

The controversial Post Office closure plans have been postponed because the Labour Government fears a political backlash. Every Postmaster in Middleton has received a letter from Post Office Ltd stating, "As you will be aware, the closure of any Post Office can potentially become a local political issue. For that reason we have been asked by the Government to introduce a freeze on some elements of the Network Change programme during the run up to these elections."

As a result of the delays, Post Offices will be told whether they are likely to close on 28th May and following a Public Consultation will receive the final decision on 15th August.

Middleton Parliamentary Candidate - Councillor Wera Hobhouse said, "I am staggered by this and feel that it puts politics in disrepute. It is absolutely clear that the Government are keeping their plans to axe Post Offices on hold until after the elections. Then when all the votes are counted they plan to wield the axe. The Liberal Democrats in Middleton have campaigned to safeguard the future of our Post Offices and to see this self-serving Labour Government put politics in front of people is a disgrace. I hope that our Labour MP Jim Dobbin will condemn this shoddy practice and help to save our local services but I won't hold my breath.

Post Offices in Middleton are under threat by Labour's plans and ensuring their safety will be one of the issues we will be campaigning on in this year's crucial local elections."