Lib Dem Mark Alcock slams local MP's failure to vote against Post Office closures

11.28.00pm GMT Thu 20th Mar 2008

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Oldham West & Royton, Mark Alcock, today attacked Labour MP Michael Meacher for supporting Post Office closures.

Yesterday in Parliament, Mr Meacher sided with the Labour government to vote down a motion calling on the Post Office to suspend the current closure programme. Mark said:

"I believe that our local MP is supposed to stand up for our local community.

Last night Mr Meacher supported the Labour government against the interests of local people. It is shocking that he has voted with the government on this issue.

Mark Alcock and the Liberal Democrats have been campaigning across Oldham Borough against the proposed closures. Post offices across Oldham Borough will be affected by the government's closure plans.

The Post Office will only tell us which Post Offices they intend to close in Oldham Borough after the local council elections on May 1st.

Mark said: "The last Conservative government closed 3,500 Post Offices, and Labour has already closed 4.000, they are now closing 2,500 more Post Offices across the country. In Oldham Borough, we have already lost 17 post offices.

"Closing Post Offices rips the heart out of our local communities. Now eight or nine more are under threat. This is another Labour let down for our area."

"The other two Labour MP's covering the Oldham Borough area Phil Woolas and David Heyes also voted down the motion in Parliament."