MP attacked for PO axe vote

Published on Saturday 22 March 2008 09:35

CITY Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz has come under fire from Liberal Democrats for supporting the UK Government's plans for post office closures.

The Edinburgh North and Leith MP helped defeat a Tory motion in the House of Commons earlier this week seeking to block the closure of 2500 branches across the UK. The Government majority was cut to just 20 when 19 Labour MPs rebelled.

Proposals for closures in Scotland will not be published until August.

Kevin Lang, the Lib Dems' candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: "Local people will be astonished to know their MP voted loyally with the Government to press ahead with a massive post office closure programme."

Mr Lazarowicz said although the constituency had seen some post offices close, new ones had also opened.

He said: "The Lib Dems' apparent suggestion that all post offices should remain open for all time even when there are big losses is clearly unrealistic.

"What they should be doing is making sure the post office network is profitable and has a sound future."