JAMES Purnell's glibness was characteristic of a politician who does not depend upon the post office when he threw a belated lifeline to the thousands of branches threatened with closure.
The relief was palpable as the Work and Pensions Secretary announced that local branches would retain the Post Office Card Account – a contract vital to their continuing viability.
This announcement was, essentially, a victory for people power. Wi
thout the concerted campaigned fought by so many communities, another 3,000 branches would be facing the prospect of closure if the contract had been removed from the Post Office Ltd.
This humiliating climbdown was clearly driven by political expediency. For, if post offices are the lifeblood of local communities, as Mr Purnell stated so bullishly in the Commons, why did he not halt the expensive tendering process, the source of so much uncertainty and anger, when he became responsible for this policy in January?
Rather than portraying himself as the saviour of the post office, the young Minister should remember this. Prior to Parliament's summer recess, his department promised a definitive decision on the POCA contract. It then said there would be a statement in the autumn. And, earlier this week, he hinted at an announcement by Christmas.
Mr Purnell could have saved much heartache if he acted decisively in the first place before going on to explore the wider picture; namely the future of postal and mail services in Britain, how the public's expectations can be met and how the network should be funded.
However, this would have required a Minister to be in place who understands the importance of the entire postal service from their own personal experience.
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