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Cabinet post office 'hypocrites' Parliament post offices targeted
(about 3 hours later)
The Conservatives have accused several cabinet ministers of "rank hypocrisy" for campaigning to save post offices in their constituencies. Parliament's three post offices must not be exempt from the closure programme across the UK, an MP says.
Up to seven current and former members of the cabinet are said to have joined campaigns, despite the government's policy of closing 2,500 branches. Tom Brake has put down a Commons motion saying London in particular will be "disadvantaged" by the government's programme to shut 2,500 branches.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Justice Secretary Jack Straw are among those criticised by the Tories. It would not be fair if Parliament's post offices "all within 100 metres of one another" remained open, he added.
The government said it was "right" for MPs to represent constituents' views. The Lib Dem MP's motion, also signed by Tory Bob Spink, came as No 10 repeated the need to "modernise" the network.
'Queuing up' The Early Day Motion says cutting 170 branches in London means "hundreds of thousands of people will be affected by these closures because they may not be able to travel the extra distance to the next post office".
The closures were ordered last May in an effort to save losses of about £4m a week. It adds that "whilst one fifth of London's post offices are being closed, the three Crown post offices in the House, all within 100 metres of one another, remain open".
The motion - of a type which allows MPs to express views rather than something which might become law - suggests that "Parliament should not be exempt from the disadvantage of post office closures".
'Rank hypocrisy'
Meanwhile, the Tories have accused several cabinet ministers of "rank hypocrisy" for campaigning to save post offices in their constituencies, despite the government's decision to back the closure policy last year.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Justice Secretary Jack Straw are among those criticised.
Shadow post office minister Charles Hendry said the cabinet had "forced through a policy which is incredibly unpopular in communities up and down this country".Shadow post office minister Charles Hendry said the cabinet had "forced through a policy which is incredibly unpopular in communities up and down this country".
He said Labour MPs were "queuing up to say that the access criteria are wrong; that individual post offices should close". He added that Labour MPs were "queuing up to say that the access criteria are wrong; that individual post offices should close".
I think it's right that MPs take part in consultations Pat McFaddenPost offices minister Jack Straw has defended his right to campaign on local issues
Mr Hendry also said: "Cabinet ministers above all have a responsibility to explain to their own constituency why those decisions were right, rather than just saying their constituencies should be exempted."Mr Hendry also said: "Cabinet ministers above all have a responsibility to explain to their own constituency why those decisions were right, rather than just saying their constituencies should be exempted."
The other cabinet ministers thought to oppose closures in their constituencies are Chief Whip Geoff Hoon; Culture Secretary Andy Burnham; Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy; and Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary John Denham.
Tessa Jowell, formerly culture secretary and now Olympics minister, has also protested.
Views
Post Offices Minister Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that consultations about how post office closures would work locally were going on around the country.Post Offices Minister Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that consultations about how post office closures would work locally were going on around the country.
He added: "I think it's right that MPs take part in consultations... that MPs of either party represent their constituents' views on this."He added: "I think it's right that MPs take part in consultations... that MPs of either party represent their constituents' views on this."
Mr Straw, Ms Smith and Ms Jowell were in the cabinet when the decision to go ahead with closures was taken in May last year. 'Perfectly legitimate'
Mr Straw and Ms Smith were in the cabinet when the decision to go ahead with closures was taken in May last year.
Mr Straw met protesters last Friday in his Blackburn constituency.Mr Straw met protesters last Friday in his Blackburn constituency.
His spokesman said the accusations of hypocrisy were "absurd", adding that he had done what MPs were supposed to do by representing the views of local people to central government. His spokesman said: "It is perfectly legitimate for a Member of Parliament to make representations on behalf of his or her constituents.
"In talking to his constituents, Mr Straw made clear that the Post Office was facing considerable change and was under pressure from the internet and other changes.
"But he agreed to put the concerns of residents to Postwatch. As it happens in the case of Blackburn he thinks his constituents have a very strong case."
Ms Smith signed a petition against closures in her Redditch seat two years ago.Ms Smith signed a petition against closures in her Redditch seat two years ago.
A spokeswoman said she fully accepted the need for post office rationalisation, but added that it proper for her to make representations on behalf of constituents.A spokeswoman said she fully accepted the need for post office rationalisation, but added that it proper for her to make representations on behalf of constituents.