Following the news that the Post Office will press ahead with its closure plan, prospective Lib Dem MP for Chippenham, Duncan Hames has branded their consultation “a sham”.

“This has been a sham consultation. The Post Office have only provided automatic acknowledgements and not replied to our letters, they were either unwilling or unable to attend three separate events in the local area to which I invited them. I twice asked them for more information to help us make a more considered response to the consultation and had no reply at all.

“They have shown contempt for this process, and appear to have simply been ‘going through the motions’.” explains Duncan Hames.

“They may have heard us, but there is precious little sign that they have actually listened. In stopping to think before welding the axe at Lacock, the Post Office have one last chance to show they are serious about listening to local people. They need to remember that we are not just their customers, but as a public corporation we are their shareholders too.” concludes Mr Hames.