Reading West Conservatives, together with local residents, launched a petition against the threat of closure of local post offices in Reading West constituency.

Alok Sharma, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West commented: “We are calling on the Labour Government to re-think its disgraceful plans to cut a further 2,500 post offices from the network by 2009 with post offices in Reading West very much under threat as a result of this planned cull. The proposed cuts will mean a reduction of 36% in the post office network in the period 1999-2009.”

Alok continued: “The financial pressure local post offices find themselves under is a direct result of the Labour Government’s policy of removing services from them.

The Government continues to let down local post offices and pensioners with plans to phase out card accounts by 2010 which will hit the most vulnerable in our society including those who cannot or choose not to open a bank account.”

Alok Sharma added: “There has been a fantastic response to our petition because, unlike this out-of-touch Labour Government, local people recognise the vital role played by post offices in our local community in both urban and rural areas. The presence of a local post office is an essential lifeline for many people, especially those with poor access to transport. We want Labour to start listening to local people and take immediate action to ensure a long term future for our local post offices.”

Photo: Alok supporting Alan Hawkins in Southcote with the petition to protect local post offices