Derek Deedman

The next County Council meeting on Friday 14 December will debate the Lib Dem Opposition motion to call on the Government to stop the unnecessary Post Office closure programme, and instead free the business from restrictive regulation, invest in the future of the network and stop removing government business, to safeguard our post offices.

Arundel & South Downs Liberal Democrats Chairman, Derek Deedman said,

“In Arundel & South Downs there are currently only two proposed post office closures, in Washington and Slindon, but in addition to opposing those closures we must remain on our guard to protect all the others in the area.

“And whilst the activity of Tory MP, Nick Herbert, against the proposed closures is great, it should not be forgotten that the Tories in government were just as bad in closing post offices and they do not appear to have any policy towards ensuring that post offices are maintained in the future.

“Liberal Democrats on the other hand have a fully funded plan to save Post Offices from closure. We would keep Post Office Ltd in the public sector but split it away from the Royal Mail. We would then raise £2 billion from the sale of a minority of shares in Royal Mail and invest this money in the Post Office network.

“This will mean new equipment and new services. We will free the Post Office from Royal Mail controls that prevent branches doing business for other parcel delivery companies. The investment will also enable Post Office branches to be the shop front for local government.

“We will also ensure that staff working for Royal Mail will be given a quarter of the shares in the company, allowing them to share in the success of the company and to be partners in it, similar to the way staff are partners in the John Lewis Partnership.

“The Tories’ warm words and lack of any substance will do nothing to keep open Post Office branches. But we have a strong set of policies that will boost this vital public service.”