Lib Dems Force Labour Climbdown Over Support for Post Office Closures

12.58.00pm GMT Tue 25th Mar 2008

Faced with a Liberal Democrat motion calling for the council to oppose the Labour Government's 'Network Reinvention' programme both locally and nationally, sheepish Labour councillors agreed to stop their support do the scheme after initially refusing to do so in December 2003.

Liberal Democrats on Waltham Forest Council have forced Labour councillors into an embarrassing climb down over local post office closures.

During a Full Council meeting on 20th March, the local Labour Party finally backed down to public demand after 5 years of support for the Post Office closures programme. The plans have caused a huge public outcry, with your local Liberal Democrats leading the local opposition to the closures.

Faced with a Liberal Democrat motion calling for the council to oppose the Labour Government's 'Network Reinvention' programme both locally and nationally, sheepish Labour councillors agreed to stop their support do the scheme after initially refusing to do so in December 2003.

There was further embarrassment heaped onto the local party when Labour councillors agreed to a last minute addition to the motion criticising the support of their own local Labour MPs for the closure of our local post office branches.

Councillors and members of the public heard Lib Dem members describe Labour's belated public opposition to the closures as "embarrassingly hypocritical act designed to pass the buck and avoid the fierce criticism of those local residents who have been let down."

The full text of the agreed Liberal Democrat motion, which was approved by Council, reads:

This Council:

• notes that Post Office Ltd has recently proposed the closure of six post office branches across Waltham Forest.

Chingford Road, Walthamstow (Chapel End Ward)

Forest Road, Walthamstow (Chapel End Ward)

High Road, Leyton (Forest Ward)

Hall Lane, Chingford (Valley Ward)

Grove Green Road, Leytonstone (Leytonstone Ward)

Orford Road, Walthamstow (Hoe Street Ward)

• notes that the six-week public consultation on these proposed closures ends on 2nd April 2008.

• expresses concern at the effect that closures would have on residents across our borough, particularly the elderly, the vulnerable and those with mobility impairments for whom these post offices provide a vital service.

• believes that local Post Office services are an essential part of maintaining sustainable and thriving communities, and welcomes the recent Council action against proposed local closures taken as a result of the motion passed on 18th December 2003.

This Council resolves:

• to continue to oppose the Post Office closures programme both during and after the end of the statutory consultation period and to campaign against both these and any further proposed closures on behalf of all our residents.

• to contact local MPs to ask for their support in this matter and elicit their views on the network change programme, asking them to make representations to the Government opposing these closures on the Council's behalf.

• to note any recommendations from our own Council committees regarding further Council action against these closures, and to act on this advice accordingly.

Please go to the 'Speeches' section to read the full text of the Liberal Democrat motion, as moved by Walthamstow Councillor Bob Carey.