Upminster MP, Angela Watkinson, said from her local office,

“If only ten more MPs had found the courage to vote against the government last week, the programme of post office closures could have been halted. Over the past few years, one after another of its functions have been taken away, it is no wonder that the post office is losing money. It doesn’t have to be like this. Many older customers have been persuaded to open bank accounts for the first time in their lives, to receive their pensions, but would have preferred to continue to collect their money from their local post office, where they receive a personal service from a familiar face. That choice should remain. Sub postmasters should be able to explore additional business opportunities which would make their branches viable. It has become clear that the public consultation is not to ask customers if they want to keep their branch open, but for the post office to judge if they have chosen the right ones for closure. I would urge everyone to respond to the consultation and keep up the pressure to save their branch and its neighbouring shops who will also suffer if the post office is lost to the community.”