‘Ignore the people at your peril’ – protesters warn Post Office bosses
Postal, Post Office (PO) February 18 2020“People all over the UK are sick and tired of having their views ignored,” Edinburgh North & Leith MP Deidre Brock commented, after news broke that the Post Office had told workers that their city-centre Crown is to be axed.
Workers at Frederick Street Crown Office received the confirmation just hours before a public meeting organised by ‘Save Our Post Office’ campaigners in the city on Friday evening, which was addressed by Ms Brock and our own Andy Furey.
“It’s becoming clearer and clearer to me, that when the Post Office’s leadership speaks of ‘consultation’, all they really mean is: ‘We’ll tell you what’s happening – and you can like it or lump it’,” the MP added, clearly furious that, once again, people’s opinions have been ignored.
Andy Furey, CWU assistant secretary, said that he was “extremely disappointed by this news – and in particular the manner and timing of the confirmation.
“There have been widespread objections to the proposal to axe Frederick Street, not only from local residents, but from small businesses in the area too. The people in charge of Post Office Ltd just will not listen to the public.
“And this has been the story right across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in Scotland.
“We’ve lost 10 Crowns just since the start of 2020. This is not even managed decline any more, it’s wilful accelerated destruction – and it’s got to stop.
“These so-called ‘company leaders’ think they can get away with ignoring the people, but let me warn them: ‘You ignore the people at your peril.”
Friday’s meeting – held at the city’s popular Melting Pot venue – drew a large and engaged audience, who heard impassioned speeches from Andy and Ms Brock, as well as from local CWU members and other community activists.
“I’m really grateful and appreciative of all those who attended and a special thanks to Diedre, as the MP for the affected area, who has been extremely supportive to our campaign,” he said.
“We’ve got to keep fighting, despite the setbacks, and we need to turn the tide.”