“Save the Oxfordshire 22,” says Tatchell

Only two weeks left to lobby postal bosses

Labour and Tory hypocrisy on post office closures

Oxford – 3 March 2008

“Save the Oxfordshire 22,” said Green Party parliamentary candidate for Oxford East, Peter Tatchell.

He is backing local campaigns to save the 22 Oxfordshire post offices that are earmarked for closure, with Labour government approval.

The deadline for members of the public to lobby post office chiefs against the closures is only two weeks away – 17 March.

"These post office closures will have a devastating impact on local communities, especially on elderly, sick and disabled people who are not able to easily travel long distances," he said.

"The government's post office closures are another Labour attack on local people.

"Instead of wasting billions on Trident nuclear missiles and ID cards, the government should spend the money on maintaining our post offices, improving letter deliveries, giving postal workers a decent wage and saving the Oxford Mail Centre.

“Labour MPs and councillors who are backing the fight to save local post offices are hypocritical. It is their party and government that is endorsing the shut downs.

The Conservatives are also two-faced. Tory councillor Keith Mitchell is backing the anti-closure campaign, but his party leader David Cameron has refused to give a commitment to keep the post offices open.

“The Oxfordshire Green Party and all its councillors are backing the local campaign to save our post offices," said Mr Tatchell.

Note:

The Post Office is inviting comments on its closure package up until 17 March.

Peter Tatchell is calling on Oxfordshire people to protest to the Post Office and to the government, against the planned shut downs.

Contact the post office

Phone 08457 22 33 44

Online www.postoffice.co.uk


Contact the consumer protection group Postwatch

Phone 08456 013265
Email info@postwatch.co.uk

Contact the Government Minister for Postal Services, Pat McFadden MP

Post House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Email mcfaddenp@parliament.uk