FIGHT TO SAVE POST OFFICES CONTINUES AS CONSULTATION CLOSES (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

FIGHT TO SAVE POST OFFICES CONTINUES AS CONSULTATION CLOSES

September 2, 2008 5:39 PM

Falmouth and Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy has vowed to fight on to save local Post Offices, following the closure of the six-week government consultation process into the changes yesterday (Monday).

Campaigners now face an anxious wait, while the Post Office consider their submissions and make a final decision on the future of the threatened local branches.

Local MP Julia Goldsworthy has vowed to keep up the pressure on Post Office Ltd, after a highly controversial consultation process, which many felt denied local people the chance to have a proper say over the proposals.

There has been widespread concern that the consultation did not offer adequate opportunity for all local people to make their voices heard due to the fact that it was held over the summer months, when many local people are on holiday or busy with the peak tourist season. The timing also meant that there was no opportunity for Parliamentary scrutiny of the proposals, owing to the Parliamentary recess. Cornwall County Council are currently considering triggering a Judicial Review to raise these concerns.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy said:

"With this so-called consultation process now closed, we will continue to fight to save our local Post Offices.

"Despite the Government's cynical timing of the consultation, the response from local people has been absolutely overwhelming, and the Post Office will have been left in no doubt over the important of these crucial services to people here in Cornwall.

"The Government should now recall Parliament so that the threat to Cornish Post Offices can be properly scrutinised, so that Cornish people are given a real voice over the future of these vital local services.