Post Office Decisions A Bitter Disappointment For Londoners - Teather

11.55.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th May 2008

Sarah Teather, local MP for Brent East and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the Post Office, has said that Londoners will be bitterly disappointed to hear that just 7 of the 169 Post Offices earmarked for closure will be saved.

The decision to press on with Post Office closures is despite London already having fewer branches per person than anywhere else in the UK.

Sarah has spoken up on behalf of Brent's post offices frequently in the House of Commons; tabled a parliamentary motion against the proposed closures; made a detailed contribution to the consultation process; collected and presented a 52,000 strong petition to 10 Downing Street, and has always voted against the Government's plans in parliament.

27,600 Londoners contributed to the consultation process.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Here in Brent not one single Post Office has been granted a reprieve as a result of the public consultation. Many people who launched campaigns and fought hard against the Labour Government's plans will be desperately disappointed to hear that their local Post Office is still set to be axed.

"London Labour MPs who voted to press ahead with these closures will now see their decision coming home to roost as they face furious constituents. Londoners already receive a sub standard Post Office service compared to the rest of the country, but the Government are pressing on with their unpopular closure plan regardless.

"I will continue to fight Labour's Post Office closure plan tooth and nail, on behalf of all those in Brent who value their local branch. The Government should be helping local Post Offices to develop their business rather than forcing more and more of them to go to the wall."