Post Office Services

Written by Cllr Jacquie Bell and published in Letter to Editor, East Lothian News, Published 10th September 2009 on Sat 5th Sep 2009

I refer to the story of our local MP, Anne Moffat, supporting the Outreach Post Office service in Innerwick.

I also refer to my letter to the Press of 27th February 2009.

I have nothing against the services offered by the local postmaster from East Linton. He is giving an essential local service.

However, it is a matter of note that local Post Offices were closed as part of the Government's Network Change programme.

Anne Moffat MP had a prominent role in the closure of post offices across the UK as a member of the Commons Committee on Business and Enterprise. Along with her Labour colleagues she voted to continue the programme of Post Office closures across the UK in the face of widespread opposition.

Anne Moffat attended a full public meeting in West Barns. She did not support the community against the closure of the local post office. She said at that meeting that the Government could not continue to support a loss making business. And yet her Government supported loss making banks.

The closure consultation process by the Post Office was a sham. The opportunity for the Council to continue services was a very expensive option. The Council were not allowed to make the financial details public but I can only say that the figures involved were silly money.

Therefore Anne Moffat smile at the camera but it was your Government that closed local Post Offices.

Cllr Jacquie Bell

Dunbar and East Linton Ward

East Lothian Council