Post Office closures - Grantham Journal article 30 November 2007

When did you last go to a Post Office? Fewer and fewer people are doing so – 4 million fewer this year than 5 years ago.

As a result, the Post Office network is losing money – about £3.5 million a week. Of course the taxpayer cannot – and must not – be expected to pay an increased subsidy because fewer people are using the service. Some cuts in the network are necessary.

But I am trying to save three smaller post offices, one in Stamford and the others in Rippingale and Castle Bytham where it is clear to me that there is massive local support for their sub post offices and the sub postmasters are committed to carrying on. The County Council are strongly supporting the campaign.

Of course there will be some people who wish me to oppose any and every closure. But in politics, as in other fields, nothing is achieved without priorities. You have to concentrate your resources – including your credibility – to break through. And you have to distinguish between change that is desirable, change that is regrettable but cannot be resisted and change that can be arrested or reversed.

Accordingly, I have focussed my attention on the official at the Post Office directly responsible for taking the decision in our region and on the relevant Government Minister - with whom I have had a number of frank discussions.

The decision is due to be announced next week. I very much hope that the impressive lobbying by and on behalf of the local communities of Castle Bytham, Rippingale and Stamford East will be reflected in the ultimate announcement.

If not, I will be talking to the County Council about what further steps we might take. But in any event, the message is clear: all of us should use our Post Offices if we wish to see them carry on into the future.