I WOULD like to comment on Geoffrey Willetts' ill-informed letter (February 19). The closure of 2,500 post offices throughout the country was a decision of Post Office Ltd.
Had Mr Willetts been better informed he could have made his complaint during the public consultation which took place between May 20 2008 and June 30 2008.
He asks:'What are our elected representatives doing about it?' I can inform Mr Willetts that in June 2007 a group of borough councillors were elected to investigate any proposed closures in the West Devon area.
I can assure him that much time and effort was put into preparing a case to minimise the effects of any closures in the area.
Mr Willetts also asks: 'What action they (meaning elected representatives) have taken in the way of protest at the closure of Milton Abbot Post Office.' West Devon Borough Council convened a public meeting at Bridestowe on June 9 2008 at which objectors from a very wide area raised many issues with representatives of Post Office Ltd and Postwatch.
There were numerous meeting elsewhere including Chillaton on June 3 2008 and Milton Abbot on June 10 2008 both being convened by Milton Abbot Grouped Parish Council. I also recall that Chillaton had a protest demonstration in June 2008.
Originally Post Office Ltd proposed that a Mobile Post Office should visit Milton Abbot. That was opposed on grounds of highway safety. I also understand that it is the wish of the postmistress at Milton Abbot to retire after many years' dedicated service. However, post office services will continue to be available from a new shop in the village from 26 March 2009.
I hope I have illustrated to Mr Willetts that the elected representatives did not stand idly by during this unfortunate business.
Dave Weeks
Chairman overview and scrutiny committee
West Devon
Borough Council
I AGREE with Geoffrey Willetts (Letters, February 19) that in other countries the closure of village post offices would have caused demonstrations, strikes and disturbances, but the people of other countries are less apathetic than we are.
Our MP, Geoffrey Cox and various prospective candidates, have tried to energise the public by meetings and parading before post offices with placards etc. I know that because I have read about it in the Okehampton Times.
I bet you thought that with the defeat of the referendum in the North East, that regionalisation could now be forgotten. But no. The Scottish Parliament set up the Calman Committee to decide on the future makeup of Scotland. They held a public meeting in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where they stated they supported the regionalisation of England and thought the North East was changing its mind. They don't need to prove it.
In last week's Okehampton Times Mr Cox is reported as criticising the Boundary Committee for delaying its decision to create a unitary authority for Devon, so making it impossible for borough councils to plan for the future.
He adds that his constituents are of the opinion that 'if it's not broke, don't fix it'. Quite so.
But the Boundary Committee seems to be acting as fifth columnists by gerrymandering at the behest of their masters, the government, who stated from the beginning that if the public would not accept the government's plan they would impose it. Next step, imposed regionalisation, and domination by the Scottish Parliament.
So much for democracy when the public is apathetic.
J W Reid
Limehayes Road
Okehampton