Been out leafleting in Abermule tonight. I'm going to be 'available' outside the village Post Office on Saturday morning. There is one dominating issue - the future of the local Post Office. Let's recap on the story so far.
As part of its programme to close 2,500 Sub-Post Offices in England and Wales, and create 500 new 'outreach' services in their place, Post Office Ltd has decided to close Abermule Post Office. Its also been decided that this growing village should be one of the 500 that will receive a new 'outreach' service, of which there are four different types. The original consultation proposals suggested that this service should be a 'Mobile Van', linked to a nearby Post Office, probably Newtown. But there's been a problem. There is no place to park the Mobile Van. So we have impasse - and limbo.
Because I like to keep in touch with what's happening in Montgomeryshire, I follow up on these issues. I like to be able to answer Montgomeryshire people's questions. So where are we now? First thing to remember is that Post Office Ltd decided some months ago that they intend to close Abermule Post Office. Over the last month or so Post Office Ltd has been so preoccupied dealing with the fallout from its closure proposals in North Wales proposals that there has been no time to implement this decision and deal with the 'impasse' created in Abermule. But this period of 'limbo' is now coming to an end. Sometime during the next few weeks Post Office Ltd are returning to Abermule to discuss what sort of 'outreach' service is going to be introduced.
I'd still like the decision to close Abermule Post Office to be reconsidered. I know that I may not succeed in winning this argument, but I'll keep on asking for a rethink while there's even a small chance of success. I expect a few people to raise this in response to my leafleting.
11 comments:
Glyn, The problems with the Mobile Van seem to be happening hear in Llandrindod Wells as well, The Mobile Van is meant to be starting on Friday, However the Sub Postmaster could not start it? As someone that works for the Royal Mail you would not expect anything else? I will leave it their.
Now I wonder where the part-time MP for Montgomeryshire stands on this one? Oops....sorry forgot.....he will of course be travelling the country in a vain atrtempt to become the Lib Dums' president. HE ceertainly won't be anywhere near Abermule Post Office. Remember, he wasn't even in the House of Commons for the vote on PO closures.
gary - The Post office in my village of Berriew is also being closed this month. It was proposed that it should be replaced by a mobile van, but it was agreed at a local public meeting that we preferred a partnership agreement between the local Spar shop and a nearby Post office.
anon - Its on record that I believe he should have been in the House of Commons for the vote you refer to, but he did play a prominant part in the well attended public meeting in the village which brought together the local total opposition to this proposed closure.
Just remind me Glyn, wasn't it the previous Tory Government that closed 3,500 Post Offices?
Hey Glyn - I hear that your 'united' party are plotting against your leader in Cardiff Bay?
If he stands down as an AM, are you still second on the list?
Anon and Glyn, you both know that Lembit wasn't in the Commons to vote on the closure program because he was here in Powys looking at the practical implications around the closure program.
This is mistchive making from anonymous Tories including Bobby Mills and you all know it.
Glyn you really are sinking low in your campaign.
Isn't Bobby Mills an 'independent' county councillor?
Ha! Sinking low!! Paul usues those words whils defending Lembit Opik, and without a modicum of irony.....How can anyone sink lower than a man whose google images are full of him leching over cheeky girls, more often than not clasping one either side and looking like a complete lascivious middle-aged creep! How much lower could any politician sink than Lembit Opik? And fyi Paul, I used to be a lib Dem donor in Montgomeryshire. As long as that idiot remains in place, I will vote for Glyn. I'm one of many DISGUSTED by his behaviour and what he's getting away with
anon 1 - and what exactly is your point? I've heard no-one saying that the current network is too small.
anon 2 - I do not believe there is anyone plotting to remove Nick Bourne from the Leadership - nor should there be. It is still the case that if Nick were to leave the Assembly for whatever reason, I would be in line to take his place.
Paul - I simply do not agree with you, and neither do many other people. You are repeating the 'spin' put on this failure to vote by the local Liberal Democrats. The meeting he attended was an information meeting for local councillors in Llandrindod Wells, which could have been attended by a representative. Also the Post Office would have been willing to give him a private briefing, which they've always been happy to give me - including this week.
It was only MPs who were in a position to vote after a debate which could have had a real influence. To be fair to Lembit, he didn't stoop to the pits that Roger Williams did, when the B and R MP claimed that David Cameron didn't vote either - when he knew that David had strong personal reasons and had arranged a 'pair', as had all the other Tories who did not vote. The more you remind people of this, the better from my point of view. I rarely bother to criticise my opponent, but I did on this failure on his part to represent his constituents - and will continue to do so whenever you give me the opportunity.
more anons - Bobby Mills is indeed an 'independent' councillor. He says what he thinks. He was utterly disgusted that his MP did not vote when the House of Commons divided on the closure of sub Post Offices. I agreed with him. Normally i don't approve comments that are so personally critical of the MP, but I do think Paul's 'spinning' contribution does open the door.
Lembit Opoik's failure to vote on this issue has done him more damage locally than practically anything else. And let's face it, there's a lot to choose from! Lifelong Liberals will not forgive him in a hurry. The feeling here is that it's all about HIM, his hunger for the limelight etc and that he cares nothing for Montgomeryshire.
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