Hypocrisy over closure of local post offices
March 6, 2009 12:00 PM
By Jacquie Bell in Letter to Editor, East Lothian Courier, published 6th March 2009
By Jacquie Bell in Letter to Editor, East Lothian Courier, published 6th March 2009
I refer to the story (front page of 27th February edition) on which I was not asked to make comment as a local member regarding Anne Moffat MP's comments about Post Offices services in West Barns.
I am concerned that her remarks appear hypocritical.
The Post Office in West Barns along with services in Stenton and Innerwick were closed as part of the Government's Network Change programme.
Anne Moffat MP as a member of the Commons Committee on Business and Enterprise had a prominent role in the closures of Post Offices across the UK. Along with her Labour Colleagues she had an opportunity to cease the closure programme in the face of widespread national concern. Along with her Labour colleagues she voted for continued closures including the services in this ward.
Anne Moffat MP attended a very well represented public meeting in West Barns Village Hall. She told those present that the Government could not keep baling out a loss making business. Interesting how much they have since paid out to bail out banks. After the event she offered no support and had no part in discussions about an alternative service. Her Holyrood colleague and Scottish Labour Leader, Ian Gray told locals that it was a Westminster matter and gave no support.
As a local member I was gravely concerned by the consultation process by the Post Office. There was much representation by the community (the turn out at the public meeting in West Barns was equivalent to 500 turning out in Haddington) and many good points made. They appear to have been ignored.
Discussion was held with Post Office about a local service but the figure quoted was silly money. Post Office insisted on a confidentiality agreement and so exact figures cannot be reported but they were very substantial. I was interested that the figure to retain a part time office in West Barns was considerably greater than reopening a full time office in Stroud.
The service proposed by the Council is an option. Contrary to Anne Moffat MP's input there will be no effect on school transport.
To conclude Anne Moffat MP and her colleagues had opportunity to stop closures. They chose not to do so. Since then the Post Office have opted to cease local Postbus services and Labour plan to sell off part of Royal Mail.
East Lothian Council have looked at options and have presented a service for local people despite the lack of any support by the local MP.
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