WITH regard to the five Post Offices that are under threat of closure, namely the two on the Hagley Road at Pedmore and Oldswinford, plus Quarry Bank High Street, Silver End at Brierley Hill, and Barnett Lane in Kingswinford, would I be correct in assuming that all five (or the majority of them) fall within the constituences of Lynda Waltho MP and Ian Pearson MP? Both are Labour Members of Parliament, and according to the parliamentary voting records, for the 19th March 2008, both voted in the 'aye' lobby for the vote ' Post Office Closures - Commend's the Government's action.'

What I find very confusing is that we are now being urged to write to our Member of Parliament to make the case for obtaining a possible reprieve on all or some of these closures, but given the above position of both MPs just what will this achieve? Furthermore both MPs are urging the local community to make a stand against the proposed closures, saying they support and endorse such action.

Am I missing something here, as both MPs seem to have adopted a position of trying to square a circle?

Perhaps both MPs would be kind enough to respond, explaining for the benefit of everyone just how the position outlined above does not represent a conflict of interest.

Would it not have been far better, and honourable to have properly represented their constituents’ interests by attempting to defeat the Bill at the outset, by voting against it, as an additional twenty rebel votes by Labour MPs, would have seen the Bill thrown out, and our Post Offices saved.

A J Gowing, Pedmore