Post office campaign update - "If the Government truly believes in local democracy, now is the time to show it!"

3.00.00pm GMT Wed 16th Jan 2008

Local MP Tim Farron's campaign to save the 43 local post offices threatened by Government closures continued this week with hundreds more signing up to support local post offices. Communities across South Lakeland continue to register their support for their local post offices. So far over 3700 people have signed petitions protesting closures. In addition, over 650 individual letters have been sent in support of local post offices.

Despite this huge upsurge of support, the Government this week dispatched 'Field Change Advisers' to South Lakeland, bringing fresh concern to those who care for their local community. After this development, Tim Farron said:

"This new development shows truly how far the Government have sunk. The so-called 'Field Change Advisers' are nothing but Government agents sent to decide which post offices deserve closure. Calling these officials 'Field Change Advisers' is nothing if not an Orwellian ploy to soften the blow of these visits.

"The stunning success of this campaign makes me both proud to live in South Lakeland and enraged at the Governments disregard for the feelings of the local populace. If the Government and the Labour party truly believe in local democracy, now is the time to show it!"