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 10th April 2008
Fi Macmillan, the Green party's candidate in Nailsworth responds to a request from other Post Office campaigners for a statement on Green party policies regarding post offices.
Post Office closure proposals are based only on the bottom line of profitability. Sub-post offices provide a public service, and are part of the fabric of communities and the local economy. Elderly people and disabled people and those with out good local public transport may particularly lose out. In a world where climate change threatens and fuel prices rise we need local services more than ever.
The unique nature and social benefits of Royal Mail mean that, like the railways, it was never a suitable industry for the introduction of competition. Labour may not have privatised our mail completely but their actions are destroying it. Indeed the decision to close Post Offices is part of a programme of privatisation of postal services being spearheaded by Labour MEPs at EU level.
Greens have called on the Government for an urgent ‘formal review’ of the decision to close yet more Post Offices around the country. The consultation process was deeply flawed: it made no effort to measure the social benefits of the existing network, instead focusing purely on the profitability of individual Post Offices – this accountants’ way of doing business infects every level of public service provision under Labour. We should instead be looking at ways to expand the services it provides, and increase its profitability that way, before hacking away at what works.
Locally Greens have been at the forefront of challenging post office closures, organising meetings, supporting marches and demonstrations and putting together comprehensive reports to counter closure plans. Next week a Green party motion will go to Full Council condemning the closures and seeking a number of cross-party ways forward locally. I enclose the motion below and a link here to a list of many further measures that the Green party would like to see to support small firms who are under increasing pressures.
Fi Macmillan,
Stroud District Green party
Post Office closure motion to the District Council
Recognising that this council is:
1, Committed to the sustainability and social cohesion of all the local communities within the District
2, Working to cut social deprivation of all people within the District
3, Committed through our Environmental strategy to cut C02 emmisions within the District
This Council will take the further action by:
1, Sending a letter or delegation to the Secretary of State condemning the Government in their action of directing Post Office Ltd to close 2500 within the country and with special reference to the Post Offices in the District, namely Ebley Stroud, Forest Green Nailsworth, Highfield Dursley, Horsley nr Nailsworth, Sharpness, South Wodchester,Uplands and Uplands Stroud and the effect it will have on current outreach services.
The rational for this representation is that it contravenes the stated objectives of our District, as above and the Government’s overall stated policy objectives
2, That we send a letter of congratulation to our MP, David Drew in voting against the closure of post offices in the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 19th March.
3,That the Chief Executive makes contact with the other five District Councils in Gloucestershire stating our representation and encouraging them to take similar action
4, That this Council works with the County Council (who have already passed a resolution opposing closure of 39 Post Offices within Gloucestershire)
5, That a cross party Councillor’s working group with administrative support, be set up forthwith to investigate a support programme for Post offices under threat in this District and to open up discussions with Post Office Ltd to find options of retaining these current services.
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