At a recent meeting in Torquay, Devon MPs were informed by post office officials of the latest round of closures, it now being the south west's turn, after a convenient delay in the post office closure programme during the election campaign.The MPs have been asked to keep quiet until the formal public announcement on May 20th. Needless to say, a Socialist MP would not be doing the bidding of the Dr. Beechings of the Post Office, but already assembling a campaign to fight the closures.
Well, we might not have an MP, but we are organising a campaign. Our first point is that the MPs reveal the list of closures NOW.
Our second point is that while we have no illusions in the sham 'consultations' that will be held, we will be campaigning against the closures in a variety of ways. We can win this one - campaigners in Essex triumphed when the County Council took over the threatened Post Offices.
This national closure programme is the consequence of the New Labour government having transformed the post office from a public service into a profit making enterprise, and stripping it of some of its functions. They have also opened up the postal 'market' to competition by all sorts of private companies, looking to make a quick buck. These neo-liberal measures have resulted in a less effective, less convenient and more expensive postal service. They have also resulted in vicious assaults on the pay, conditions and pensions of Post Office and Royal Mail workers.
We make a stand against cuts, as we did when we supported the postal workers last summer/autumn. The three main parties offer nothing apart from a constant diet of privatisation and cuts. What is needed is for campaigners defending local services is to link up with other campaigners, trade unionists and socialists to form a new political alternative to the mainstream parties. Together we will be stronger, especially so with a united political voice.
If you would like to get involved in the campaign, email us: socialistpartydevon@gmail.com
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