John Leech MP takes Post Office Fight to the Floor of the House

4.46.46pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Jul 2008

John Leech fears that these closures will harm the viability of local shops and disproportionately impact on the elderly and the disabled

John Leech MP yesterday presented a petition to Parliament signed by over 1,500 residents of South Manchester opposing the closure of two Post Offices in his Constituency. The Post Offices, in Ladybarn and East Didsbury , are two of 2,500 proposed for closure by the Post Office, whose majority shareholder is the Labour Government. John voted in March to stop this closure program, but Labour MP's forced it through.

John Leech said today,

"This 1500 name petition is proof that local residents oppose these Post Office closure. Why isn't Labour using their majority shareholding to stop these closures?"

John added,

"These closures will harm the viability of local shops and disproportionately impact on the elderly and the disabled. I urge the Labour Government to reverse their closure program, and, if necessary, the Labour Council to follow the example of Lib Dem Rochdale and offer a financial lifeline to keep these Post Offices open."