ChrChristopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, today brought his campaign against post office closures to Downing Street by presenting a petition to Number 10. The petition calls on the Government to reverse its funding decision in order to keep local post offices open, in light of the current closure programme which will result in the loss of 2,500 post offices.
Christopher Fraser presented hundreds of pages of signatures to Downing Street from the many people in his constituency who are oppose the closure of 15 local branches.
Speaking afterwards, Christopher Fraser said: “I was pleased to present this petition to Downing Street on behalf of all those in South West Norfolk who oppose the closure programme imposed on the post office network by this Labour Government. I have long been saying that these closures will hit the most vulnerable groups – the elderly, disabled and those on low incomes – the hardest. It is an urban, one-size-fits-all agenda imposed on Post Office Limited by the Government that does not take sufficient account of what rural consumers want and need.
The Government and Post Office Ltd must give post offices the freedom to offer a wider range of products and services so that the network can attract new customers and become viable once again. The Post Office’s dismal situation has only been exacerbated by the Government presiding over the withdrawal of many services, which has led to a loss of hundreds of millions of pounds for the network.
Although the consultation on post office closures in Norfolk has now finished, ultimate responsibility lies with the Government, which is why I have presented this petition today. The Government must rethink its policy, and provide the necessary funding in order to ensure the future of the post office network, on which so many people rely. |