LIB DEMS FIGHT LABOUR'S CUTBACKS AT WILLESDEN GREEN POST OFFICE

1.06.08am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Apr 2006

Lib Dem Group Leader Paul Lorber, Gavin Sneddon and Sarah Teather MP are leading the campaign to safeguard services at Willesden Green Post Office

Local Liberal Democrat Campaigners led by Sarah Teather MP are fighting to safeguard services at Willesden Green Post Office. Services at the Post Office are set to suffer as a result of the Post Office being sold off to a franchise with the counter service being reduced.

The Lib Dems have this week delivered a leaflet to over 4,000 homes across the Willesden area informing people of the changes in service. Petition signatures have been flooding into the Lib Dem office with over 200 collected in the first few days of the campaign.

Liberal Democrat Willesden Green Campaigner, Gavin Sneddon said:

"I'd like to thank the people of Willesden Green for their support for our campaign. This post office is a vital part of our community it is essential that services are safeguarded.

"I have written to the Post Office on behalf of Willesden Green residents demanding that they listen to the views of local people and retain this vital service.

"I am deeply concerned that the company that is set to take over has no previous experience of running a post office. Questions must be asked as to what criteria the Post Office used to select the franchise.

"Losing such experienced staff from the post office will be a blow to regular customers."

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said:

"Just over two years ago when a post office closed in Willesden Green residents were told by the Post Office that the Crown Post Office was an acceptable alternative. Now they are making further cutbacks. This is totally unacceptable.

"Labour is systematically destroying the Post Office network. Under Labour over 4,000 Post Offices have closed since 1997. They have no solution to the problems that the Post Office faces. Only the Liberal Democrats have plans to invest £2 billion into the Post Office to safeguard future services."

Brent Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader Councillor Paul Lorber said:

"Once again Labour's axe is falling on Post Office services here in Brent. On May 4th local people can have their say. A vote for Labour is a vote for Post Office closures and cuts in services. Brent residents know that every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a team that is committed to saving our local post offices.

"Local Labour politicians cry crocodile tears at the death of Post Office services yet at every opportunity prop up the Labour Government that is destroying the post office network.

"Under Labour over 4,000 post offices have closed. Under the last Conservative Government 3,500 closed. Only the Liberal Democrats can be trusted to fight for our local Post Offices."