HARD-hit rural post masters and postmistresses from West Devon will be joined by local MP Geoffrey Cox in a national day of campaigning at Westminster. Mr Cox announced his plans at a debate in the House of Commons on Friday over the future of the rural post office network. The MP has renewed pressure on the Government to support rural post offices and reconsider the withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account. ?Steadily and relentless the foundation of the rural post office network is being eroded,? he said. ?When the government offered the lifeline of the Post Office Card Account in 2001 sub-postmasters embraced it and made it a success. ?Despite the discouragement of six or seven forms and the cold welcome given by the Department for Work and Pensions officials to prospective card holders, 4.5 million signed up, many to support their local office.? He said the Government must work with Post Office Counters Ltd without delay to confirm a replacement for the scheme. In a survey by the MP only 4% of post offices in West Devon and Torridge were confident that the decision to withdraw support for the account would not jeopardise the viability of their business. ?The overwhelming majority face losing at least a quarter of their customers and one in three could lose half of their trade,? said Mr Cox. ?In addition, post offices are losing the contract to sell TV licences, and water and electricity companies are urging people to pay for services by telephone or the internet.? A national day of campaigning to raise the plight of rural post offices at Westminster is being planned with businesses across the country taking part.
