Mayoral Candidate Visits Hackbridge to Highlight Important Issues

4.12.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Apr 2008

Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, was in Hackbridge yesterday on the campaign trail. Accompanying Mr Paddick on the campaign trail was local Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake.

Brian visited BedZed, the UK's best known zero/low energy housing development. Mr Paddick was met by Matt Sullivan of Bioregional and shown round the development.

He then met Mr Patel, the postmaster of the Post Office at 7-9 Seymour Road, Mitcham Junction, whose Post Office is threatened with closure under the Royal Mail's latest plan to close 20% of London's post offices. This closure is despite the premises being fully accessible due to recent substantial investment in the premises. Brian and Tom, the party's London spokesman, are campaigning to keep post offices open across the capital. Commenting Mr Brake said;

"It's appalling that Postmaster's have invested heavily in their business premises, to make their Post Offices easily accessible and now their Post Offices are threatened with closure. This has to stop."

Mr Paddick then met a group of Senior Citizens at the All Saints Centre, New Road to discuss issues concerning them, before finishing his whistle-stop tour with lunch at a local café.