LIBERAL Democrats in North East Somerset have accused Dan Norris of failing to support local services after he voted to support the Government's massive post office closure programme.

The Government has ordered that one in five branches be closed. Opposition MPs tried to stop the closure programme on 19th March when a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2500 branches shut up shop.

But enough Labour MPs rallied around the Government’s closure plans to reject the motion and ensure the closure programme can continue unhindered. One of those voting to close post offices was the Labour MP for Wansdyke, Dan Norris. 

Disappointed local Liberal Democrat Gail Coleshill is calling on Dan Norris to explain why he voted to close post offices especially when he has been seen in the local press supporting plans to keep Queens Road Post Office in Keynsham open.

“What is he up to? One minute he is supporting campaigners to keep a Post Office open and the next he is voting with the Government to continue with the closure plans. I believe it is the height of hypocrisy. He has let down voters in North East Somerset by voting to allow the closures to continue”, 

said Gail Coleshill, future Parliamentary Candidate for the Lib Dems.

“This was an opportunity for Dan Norris to make a stand on behalf of residents. I am disappointed he has backed the Government rather than local people. 

The loss of post offices will hit communities hard in North East Somerset. Farmborough, Marksbury, East Harptree and Clandown Post Offices are all in villages where they are vital assets for many local people and closing them will cause many difficulties for older people and others with mobility problems. Closing the Queens Road post office is folly in view of all the 700 new houses proposed by the Government to be built in south Keynsham.