Local People back Annette Brooke to fight for Dorset Post Offices

10.08.48am GMT Thu 25th Jan 2007

Annette Brooke, Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has been running a massive petition in her constituency getting residents to pledge support for their local post offices. Already over 3000 people have signed up. Annette intends to present this petition to Parliament in a few weeks time.

She said' the Government must appreciate just how much local people value the services offered by their local post offices. They must stop taking services away and make sure that the Post office Card Account is continued.'

Annette's initiative followed on from the Government's recent announcement of a further 2,500 Post Office branch closures by 2009.

Annette has condemned both Conservative and Labour governments for a legacy of Post Office closures. Whilst 4,000 Post Office branches have been closed since Labour came to power, 3,500 Post Office branches were closed under the last Conservative government.

"I visited the three sorting offices in my constituency early in the morning before Christmas and have already personally visited most of the Post Offices in my constituency since the closure threat was made public. I am very clear about how unsupported Royal Mail workers feel and the concerns of local Post Office staff." The petition may be signed in many post offices in the constituency.

Annette Brooke says:

"If we want to keep these vital local services, we must support them by using them."

Annette is also worried that there may be closures unrelated to the Government, in that Post Offices currently located within shops may be affected if that particular shop is closing down. She said 'this is the situation with the Post Office on Adastral Square, Canford Heath, and I know my colleague, Cllr Sandra Moore is doing everything that she can, working with the local council.

Annette added, "there are also concerns in Upton, because the ownership of the premises in which the Post Office is located has changed. I have written to the Chief Executive of the Co-op to seek assurances that they will continue their business in the premises and that the Post office will be retained.

Notes to Editors

The petition may be signed in many post offices in the constituency and is also available online at www.middorsetlibdems.org.uk/petitions