Post Office Closures - how our MP voted

12.00.00am GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh South have accused local Labour MP Nigel Griffiths of failing to support local services after he voted to support the Government's massive post office closure programme.

The Government has ordered that one in five branches be closed. Opposition MPs tried to stop the closure programme on 19th March when a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2,500 branches across Britain shut up shop.

But enough Labour MPs rallied around the Government's closure plans to reject the motion and ensure the closure programme can continue unhindered. One of those voting to close post offices was Edinburgh South's MP Nigel Griffiths

Disappointed local Liberal Democrat campaigners are calling on Nigel Griffiths to explain why he voted to close post offices.

"Nigel Griffiths has let down people in Edinburgh South by voting to allow the closures to continue," said Fred Mackintosh, Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson. "In August the announcement will be made as to which branches here will be put forward for closure. This was an opportunity for Nigel Griffiths to make a stand on behalf of residents. I am disappointed he has backed the Government rather than local people.

"The loss of post offices will hit communities hard in Edinburgh South They are vital assets for many local people and closing them will cause many difficulties for older people and others with mobility problems, in particular.

"Despite the decision of Nigel Griffiths to help the Government press ahead with closure, Liberal Democrats are continuing to fight the demolition of the post office network."

In late 2007 Fred Mackintosh and local MSP Mike Pringle carried out a survey of local residents' use of post offices in South Edinburgh. The survey - completed by 350 local people - was handed over to Royal Mail Scotland on 14 January 2008. In it local people confirmed that post offices in South Edinburgh are well used and that the loss of any of them would have a serious effect on their local communities.