I am pleased to agree with Tom Cox in his criticism of the Labour Government’s policy in relation to our postal services.

Tom Cox writes: "No one will believe that if the Government is genuinely concerned about closures of post offices it could not stop them".

The Government continues to leave the decisions on closure of post offices to the Royal Mail whose decisions are determined by "business" grounds.

Five post offices have closed in Putney constituency over the last six years, many of which provided vital services.

Over recent months Putney Liberal Democrats have been out in the high streets collecting signatures for petitions calling on the Government and the Royal Mail to stop the closure of post offices. We have found the vast majority of the people from all political parties support us. So far, the Liberal Democrats have collected a quarter of a million signatures for our petition.

Unfortunately, despite this, the Government recently announced some 400 more post office closures.

Many people tell us of their concern about the loss of a vital community service.

Also, people tell us that the long queues, in the post offices that remain open, indicate an unacceptably poor service for customers.

Let us hope other Labour MPs will take a refreshingly independent view like Tom Cox has done in opposing the policy on post offices.

I would like to take this opportunity of wishing Tom well for his forthcoming retirement.

Jeremy Ambache

Prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for Putney

Published in WBN - Friday 18th March 2005