14/03/08 - Conservatives Challenge Swindon Labour MP's Over Post Office Closures

Conservatives Challenge Labour Over Post Office Closures

Swindon Conservatives have issued a challenge to the town’s Labour MPs: vote to save our local post offices, not to save the Government’s skin.

Next week, MPs will debate a Conservative motion calling for an end to the Government’s programme of branch closures.  Labour MPs are expected to be ‘whipped’ – forced to vote against the motion – to spare the Government further embarrassment.

But Swindon’s prospective Conservative MPs say if the town’s two Labour members don’t support the motion, they will be letting down their communities.  And they’re urging residents to write to Michael Wills and Anne Snelgrove asking them to support the Conservative move.

Justin Tomlinson, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for North Swindon, said, “This is a real test for our Labour MPs.  How serious are they about saving the Swindon post offices being axed by the Government?  If they don’t vote to suspend the closure programme, we’ll know they think politics is more important than people.”

Robert Buckland, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for South Swindon, said, “As many people as possible should write to Mr Wills and Ms Snelgrove asking them to support the Conservatives in next Wednesday’s vote.  This could be our last chance to save Swindon’s post offices from the Government’s axe”.

Peter Heaton-Jones, Conservative candidate for Western at the Swindon Borough Council election on May 1, said, “Cheney Manor Road post office is one of those facing closure.  Local people have done everything possible to save it, but the consultation exercise was a complete sham.  This is a chance to stop the entire closure programme, but Labour MPs must have the guts to support the Conservative motion”.