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14 April 2008
POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHTS OUT IN FORCE AT PUBLIC DEBATE - An article from the K&C News
Heavyweight political rivals put aside their differences as the battle to save Kensington’s post offices reached a dramatic head.
The gloves came off last Wednesday as former cabinet ministers Sir Malcolm Rifkind, MP for Kensington and Chelsea, and left wing maverick Tony Benn, a resident of North Kensington, united to deal blows to post office officials during a public debate.
It was standing room only as more than 500 angry protestors crammed into Kensington Town Hall to grill officials and help save branches earmarked for the chop in Stratford Road, Kensington, and Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill.
Tory grandee Sir Malcolm, who admitted that it was unusual to be united with his foe Benn, said: “Don’t despair. There is a strength of feeling that crosses all party boundaries. The issue is about community and ensuring common sense reigns supreme.”
He demanded that a public consultation be extended to three months before revealing that the Post Office had wanted to close its outlet in the Royal Hospital, home of the Chelsea pensioners, before realising ‘300 Chelsea pensioners would march down the King’s Road’ in protest.
Former postmaster general Tony Benn, a patron of the Ladbroke Grove branch, also gave a rousing speech to campaigners.
“I’ve known the family who run the branch since I was young and I’m with you 100 percent. The post office is a social service. Public opinion has an effect on policy. A really determined campaign can bully government a bit more strongly than even the whips.”
Determined members of the audience then branded the imposing closures a ‘travesty’ and a ‘grotesque move’ which could destroy key borough communities. Others branded the Post Office guilty of discriminating against the elderly and disabled.
Under fire Post Office representatives, Nick Beal and Melanie Corfield, were heckled as they tried to explain why the company thought closures were necessary.
While Roger Darlington, from watchdog Postwatch, was branded patronising and disgraceful after telling the audience: “Don’t expect too much. Petitions won’t do it.”
In defence, Mr Beal said: “Everything they provide is available elsewhere. We have losses of over £170 million. We have to recognise there is a cost. Simply to say a post office shouldn’t be closed is not the issue. We need to know why it is wrong.”Home | Sir Malcolm | Kensington | Local News | Articles | Links | Contact
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