A letter sent to Haringey Lib Dem Leader, Cllr Ross Laird, has revealed that Labour Government Ministers are determined to force the closure of London Post Offices. In a letter to Cllr Laird, Stephen Timms MP, DTI Minister, explained that while he was prepared to “prevent avoidable closures of rural offices”, there would be no such protection for urban ones and he expected the Government’s closures to go ahead as planned.

The letter has dismayed Liberal Democrat councillors, activist and local residents who have been campaigning and petitioning over the past year to save Post Offices across the borough earmarked for closure. Cllr Laird (Muswell Hill) believes that the letter displays the contempt that the Labour run Government has for consultation and public opinion.

Cllr Laird comments:

“This letter from the Minister demonstrates what a sham the whole Post Office consultation process really is. The Government has every intention of closing down our local post offices in London, with miniscule consideration of the affect this might have on local communities and local businesses.

“I also asked what research had been commissioned into the effects of closures on small businesses and the Minister failed to respond. The Government and local MP, Barbara Roche, who fully backed the closure programme in Parliament, should be ashamed.”