2008: The Year We Can Save our Post Offices and Kill Off ID Cards

7.39.00pm GMT Sun 10th Feb 2008

Jill Hope, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, wants to fight for two main causes in 2008 - to stop the closure of yet more post offices in Milton Keynes and to put an end to the expensive and pointless policy to force identity cards on this country.

"Post offices matter," Jill says. "They are more than places to buy stamps. In many local communities like Fishermead, the post office is the place where many people without cars go to pay bills, draw out cash and obtain information. If a local post office closes, it can mean a long journey for someone to pick up their pension or send a parcel, something that a shop selling stamps can't offer.

Jill and Phil outside Conniburrow Post Office

Phil Gerrella, local Liberal Democrat councillor, adds: "Corner shops matter too, but the owners of corner shops like the one in Conniburrow have told me that they might have to close if they lose their post office income. Communities need local services. If there isn't a corner shop available, people without a car have to get on a bus or walk a long way to get the smallest item, making their life harder. The threat of the loss of post offices will bring about the loss of corner shops as well.

Jill continues: "Labour's plans to introduce identity cards are simply a waste of money. The child benefit and learner drivers' data-loss scandals mean there is a looming crisis of public confidence in the Government's ability to look after our personal information. ID cards won't stop terrorism (they didn't stop the bombers in Madrid). Fake cards will be out on the streets before the real ones. The Government's plans for ID cards are already costing billions of pounds of your taxes. So let 2008 be the year we bring down the ID cards scheme.

"What's your New Year resolution?" asks Jill Hope. "Go to the gym more, drink less, give up smoking? Mine is to make 2008 the year we save our post offices and kill off ID cards."