Gordon Banks disappointed by Keith Brown MSP’s response on campaign to save Post Offices in Ochil & South Perthshire

28 April 2008

Gordon Banks MP for Ochil and South Perthshire today commented upon recent discussions relating to potential Post Office closures in Ochil and South Perthshire.

Mr Banks said,

“Some recent comments from Keith Brown MSP in relation to this matter have been at best misleading.”

“Mr Brown’s comments relating to overall control of the Post Office function being reserved is of course correct, no-one is arguing this point. However, if he wanted to repeal the relevant section of the Scotland Act, perhaps when the SNP came to power in May of last year they should have made this a priority, it appears they did not.”

“What would also be appropriate would be that the SNP commit to the Calman Commission in reviewing the Scotland Act 1998 and perhaps Mr Brown would be able to make his point on this matter to the Commission. However, the Nationalist decision to refuse to take part only shows that they are really only interested in words and not deeds.”

“What is required now is not new powers but new funding. It is my opinion that this additional funding would not be dependent upon a transfer of powers but on a display of an appropriate political will. The funding from the UK Government is clear, a further £1.7 billion up to 2011 but what is not clear is what the Scottish Executive can bring to the table.”

“And it is important to understand what is the effect of this £1.7 billion subsidy. It is keeping Post Offices which Royal Mail consider are not viable, open, if every Post Office was viable there would be no need for a subsidy. It appears that the SNP lurch from supporting the Tories who have only committed to keep 4000 Post Offices open to keeping them all open. This position in itself is untenable.”

“Protesting against planned closures without a route providing additional funding is not only doomed to failure but also disingenuous by its perpetrators.”

“I am of the opinion that if local authorities such as Glasgow City Council are able to put together plans to protect Post Office services, the Scottish Executive should also be able to embark on a similar programme, either directly or by providing funding to local authorities for this particular purpose. Indeed I call on the Scottish Executive to expand on what John Swinney had in mind when he said last year that he would support a “sustainable” network of rural Post Offices. It is necessary to hear from the Executive what they consider to be sustainable and what form this support is going to take.”

“The rationalisation process is more or less half way through and we have yet to hear what is meant by Mr Swinney’s comments.”

“If Mr Swinney’s statement that the Scottish Executive would offer “every possible support” is only words and false hope he should be honest enough to admit that the SNP have no plans to provide any funding to retain Post Office services, despite their ability to do so.”

“I would urge people in Ochil and South Perthshire who are concerned about the reduction in services to write to their MSP to raise pressure for additional sources of funding. The UK Government’s funding position is clear, what remains shrouded in darkness is whether the SNP are really prepared to act as a Government or just as a protest organisation.”

“I have written further to Mr Brown on a range of related issues and of course I am always willing to work with him in a co-operative manner for the benefit of constituents.”