Post office closures delayed by elections

The Government has intervened to prevent post office closures in the run-up to local elections next year.

Public consultations have begun on the closure of 2,500 branches around the UK but in a letter to sub-postmasters, Post Office Ltd said it had been asked to suspend its network shake-up during the elections.

The letter says: "As you will be aware, the closure of any post office can be highly sensitive and can potentially become a local political issue.

"For that reason, we have been asked by Government to introduce a freeze on some elements of the Network Change Programme during the run-up to these elections."

There will be no public consultations or any final closure decisions between April 7 to May 2 - the period immediately prior to London's mayoral elections and local authority elections in England and Wales.

A Post Office spokesman said the letter had gone to every sub-postmaster in England and Wales.

Consultations are being rolled out on a regional basis.

Some will be brought forward while other affected regions will be delayed until after May 2, the spokesman said.

He was unable to specify how many branches will be affected.

Shadow business secretary Alan Duncan said: "This is a blatant admission on the Government's behalf that the Labour Party's chances in next year's local elections will be affected by the closures.

"They have showed alarming cynicism in this case. They've been caught red-handed trying to bury bad news in advance of what will be bad news for them at the ballot box."

All 22 of Wales's local councils face elections in May.

Nick Bourne, the Conservatives' leader in the Welsh Assembly, said: "I am staggered the Government is prepared to admit these closures will hurt Labour's chances in next May's elections.

"These closures are destroying our communities, and making life more difficult for businesses, pensioners, disabled people, and families across Wales."

A Postwatch spokesman said: "Any consultation that's under way during that period is effectively put on ice for those weeks that are political purdah.

"From Postwatch's point of view it's welcome. It's a sensitive issue and what's needed is constructive engagement.

"If it can be done away from the heat of political campaigning so much the better."

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