Gordon Banks disappointed by MSP’s response to join campaign to save Post Offices.

April 14 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks has spoken of his disappointment at the response given by Ochil MSP Keith Brown to join his campaign to fight to protect Post Offices in the area.

Mr Banks said – “I guess its no surprise that Mr Brown was so eager to rush to the Press with my letter and his response.  Perhaps he should think about his constituents needs first before he rushes to local reporters on every issue.”

“Mr Brown wishes to turn my suggestion that we work together to retain Post Office services in the area into a party political game and a discussion about more powers for the Scottish Parliament.  Contrary to what the Nationalists would have you believe, you can’t turn every debate into a discussion on Independence!”

“My letter specifically asked Mr Brown if he would join me in a campaign to lobby the Scottish Executive to offer financial support to the Post Office network in Scotland or to make more money available to Local Authorities for this purpose.  I am disappointed that he has not embraced this opportunity and he appears more intent on playing party political games rather than trying to engage in constructive dialogue.”

“If local authorities such as Glasgow City Council can put together proposals to retain Post Office services in their area, it seems entirely plausible to me that other Councils could do the same if funding is made available from the Scottish Executive.”

“Last year, Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney stated that the Executive would do everything it could to support a sustainable network of Post Offices.  Its time Mr Brown found out from Mr Swinney what exactly he meant by ‘everything’ and how many of Scotland’s Post Offices he feels are sustainable.”

“Posturing and playing political games will not secure a single Post Office from closure but what will halt closures is additional funding.  If Mr Brown and his SNP colleagues are not prepared to even discuss the possibility of such a proposal then they should honest with the Scottish people and tell they will do nothing other than try to score political points.”

“It is action that is required of Mr Brown not tea and sympathy and a cheap photo opportunity.”

“The subsidy from the UK Government including £1.7 billion upto 2011 far outweighs any subsidy ever given to the Post Office and the consultation programme has been ongoing for sometime now with approximately half of the UK having already gone through the process.”

“Time is running out for Mr Brown and his colleagues to play a role in saving the network that they claim to be intent on protecting.”