Council slams MP's hypocrisy on POs

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Apr 2008

Lewisham council last night passed a Liberal Democrat sponsored motion censuring the borough's Labour MPs for their hypocrisy over the Post Office's plans to close three branches in the borough. Two of the MPs have backed local campaigns to maintain Post Offices in their areas, but all three Labour MPs voted to back the closure programme in Parliament.

Forest Hill councillor Alex Feakes, who introduced the motion at this week's Full Council meeting, said: "The MPs said they wanted to protect their local Post Office, and then voted for the closures in Parliament. Simply put, they are hypocrites, and have undermined the trust placed in them by Lewisham's residents."

The MPs' actions contrast with the consensus on Lewisham Council, where all parties and Mayor agreed to oppose the Post Office closures. However, the consensus did not extend to criticising the hypocrisy: the Labour group gave their support to the MPs' actions, unsuccessfully attempting to vote down the censure motion.

"Labour preferred to hang together with their MPs rather than stand up for integrity. Residents in Lewisham should remember this when they vote in future elections," commented Cllr Feakes.

Deptford MP, Joan Ruddock, backed a local campaign to save a Post Office in New Cross Road, and opposed the closure in the public consultation. Lewisham West MP, Jim Dowd, backed a local campaign by civic societies and councillors to save Forest Hill Post Office from being downgraded from a Crown Post Office and moved into a nearby WH Smiths, and presented to Parliament a residents' petition opposing the changes.

Both MPs, along with Lewisham East MP, voted on 19th March to continue to the Post Office closure programme.