Philpott Slams Tory Hypocrisy Over Post Offices

Toby Philpott, Shepway Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, has condemned the Conservative Party over their failure to support a Liberal Democrat amendment in the House of Lords to the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill which would have delayed the abolition of Postwatch - the independent consumer body which represents the interests of local Post Office users.

Toby said:

"Once again the Conservatives have shown that despite all the warm words locally they do not care about the plight of the post office network.

"The last thing consumers need in a time of post office closures is their voice being gagged. We have lost one in three of our local post offices here in Shepway since Labour came to power. The National Consumer Council is unlikely to be able to offer the same focus on protecting our local interests given its broad remit.

"The Liberal Democrat proposal in the House of Lords would have postponed the Government's plan until a period of stability returns to the postal services. Because the Conservatives did not support us, the abolition of Postwatch is now inevitable and the voice of consumers diminished".