GLOSSOP’S Conservative parliamentary candidate has accused MP Tom Levitt of not standing up for his constituents over the post office closure programme.

At least 28 Labour MPs failed to support the government in a House of Commons vote on a Tory motion which called for a halt to the closure of 2,500 offices.

Councillor Andrew Bingham said: “I really hoped that Mr Levitt would support it and therefore his constituency. Yet again he has put his party before his constituents and voted against the proposal.

“I noticed that several other Labour MPs did stand up for their constituencies by supporting the Conservative motion. What a shame Mr. Levitt doesn’t share that sense of loyalty to the people of the High Peak who elected him.

“Mr. Levitt did make it clear some time ago that he doesn’t care for the future of our post offices when he described their future as ‘bleak’ in the House of Commons (14 December 2006), but here he has ignored an opportunity to stand up for them and us. I think it’s a disgrace.”

He added: “The public consultation on the future of High Peak post offices opens in June and I would urge people to have their say in that consultation.”

Mr Levitt said no post office closures for the Glossop area have yet been announced and added: "Mr Bingham should really read the debate before he attacks the people with the commitment to invest in Post Office services.

“In the House of Commons debate, Conservative spokesman Alan Duncan said, 'Let me make it clear that we fully expect the network to shrink in size. We have never given a guarantee that no post offices will close.'

“Asked whether the Conservatives would match the government’s investment of £1.7 billion into the network, Mr Duncan responded, 'I will not do that.’

“So, does Mr Bingham support the Conservative position that would see 7,500 post offices close or does he support the government’s investment of £1.7 billion to ensure that all communities retain access to post office services, as I do?"