News
Hackney's Labour Mayor labelled "hypocrite" over Post Office closures
2008-02-28 21:27:18 
Click here to sign the petition against Hackney Post Office Closures
Jules Pipe, the Labour Mayor of Hackney, has admitted he is appalled at his Government's policy backing Post Office closure plans - which threaten at least seven post offices in his own borough. And he's been called a hypocrite by Liberal Democrat Meral Ece.
Using the Council's website to express his views, he says "I was appalled when I saw what the Post Office was planning for Hackney. If they close, it will be a real blow to the people who need them most."
Meral Ece, the Liberal Democrat GLA candidate for Hackney in May's election, is spearheading a campaign to save local post offices. "Jules Pipe's crocodile tears are blatant hypocrisy," she says. "This is the party and government he belongs to. He's supposed to have influence. Why hasn't he opposed these cuts before now?
Labour's Post Office Minister, Pat McFadden, told the BBC's 'Today Programme' on Thursday it is Government policy that the post office network has to reduce in size. "The consultations are about how these closures are implemented," he said. "Given that closures have to happen, have we got it right?"
Mayor Jules Pipe doesn't think so - he speaks out against all closures and against his Government's policy. "Post offices can provide a lifeline for older people, and for those who don't have bank accounts or live near a bank," he says.
"He's quoting Liberal Democrat policy" says Meral Ece. "We have opposed further post office closures for a long time and we've published plans that would make the whole business viable and vibrant.
"While Jules Pipe feeds his council website with words of regret," she says, "we're actually out there on the ground, standing up for local people, campaigning to save their services. We're collecting hundreds of signatures for our petition which will form the backbone of our submission opposing these closures.
"We're getting a fantastic response. Ordinary members of the public are contacting us asking for more petition forms. The Government proposals, which they've imposed on the Post Office, are totally unecessary and are a threat to community life in Hackney.
"And when Post Office Ltd say the main offices on Stoke Newington and Kingsland High Streets are not in danger of closing, why have they put up notices at these branches stating: 'There are no plans to make a change to the service provision at this branch. HOWEVER, THIS IS SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEW AFTER A SIX-WEEK LOCAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION'?
"They say they are consulting on the proposed closure of post offices named in the London area plan. Well, Stoke Newington High Street and Kingsland High Street are clearly named in the plan - on page 141 of their Branch Access Reports for London - as first and second alternatives to the sub post office they want to close on Stoke Newington Road.
"They're not just presented as a couple of alternative offices that customers could use but as prioritised alternatives for closure," says Meral Ece. "We are campaigning, now, to save the lot."
Click here to sign the petition against Hackney Post Office Closures
Tags:
post offices, closure, mayor of hackney, hypocrite
