Thursday, July 27, 2006

Ming backs Post Office petition


LIBERAL Democrat leader Ming Campbell has backed a petition being run by Gateshead members of the party calling on the government to cancel its plans to scrap the Post Office Card Account (POCA).

POCA is used by nearly five millions pensioners to collect their state pensions through Post Office branches. Most will be forced to open bank accounts to get their pensions instead.

And many fear that the loss of trade will see thousands of Post Office branches close.

Dr Jonathan Wallace, Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside, who is co-ordinating the petition, took it to Ming Campbell in the House of Commons to have it signed.

“We are pleased Ming has backed the petition,” said Jonathan. “Many residents of Gateshead are very concerned about the future of Post Offices. And many pensioners are angry that the government are to stop them from getting their pensions at their local Post Office.”

Liberal Democrats in Gateshead have collected over 1000 signatures on their petition calling on the government to keep Post Offices open.

Photo: Ming Campbell MP and Jonathan Wallace signing the petition in Ming’s office in the House of Commons

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