Postal closures: political reaction

The Post Office has confirmed 24 branch closures across Edinburgh, the Lothians and southern Scotland.

Here is some of the political reaction the plans have provoked:

MICHAEL MOORE, MP FOR BERWICKSHIRE, ROXBURGH AND SELKIRK (LIB DEM)

"Borders people have got small change out of this review and will be right to be very bitter and angry about the outcome.

"I have never witnessed a stronger, more detailed response to a consultation by people in the Borders, which will only increase the sense of betrayal, since nothing meaningful has changed.

"I am now writing to the Secretary of State challenging the basis of this consultation and demanding a rethink of these flawed proposals."

ALEX FERGUSSON, MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE (CONSERVATIVE)

"This announcement simply underlines the crass insensitivity that Post Office Ltd is showing to the needs of rural Scotland.

"To save two branches in Edinburgh is one thing, but to stick with their proposals to close branches such as at Sheuchan Street, Stranraer, New Abbey and Creetown simply defies all logic.

"Post office users across Galloway and Upper Nithsdale will be utterly devastated that their efforts in pointing out the folly of these proposals have fallen on deaf ears."

JEREMY PURVIS, MSP FOR TWEEDDALE, ETTRICK AND LAUDERDALE (LIB DEM)

"The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney, promised me in the Scottish Parliament that the Scottish Government would do all in its powers to protect rural postal services.

"Now that we know that Post Office Ltd is not changing its proposed plans to reduce and remove services, I am writing to John Swinney to clarify what support he is prepared to give the Borders if these plans are ratified by Westminster."

JIM HUME, SOUTH OF SCOTLAND MSP (LIB DEM)

"The network of closures across the south of Scotland was widely opposed and people all across the region responded to the consultation to object to this loss of service in their local community.

"Despite the many representations and objections from individuals, community groups and politicians it seems that Post Office Ltd will simply crash ahead with the closure plans which will have a huge negative impact on smaller or rural communities."

JOHN LAMONT, MSP FOR ROXBURGH AND BERWICKSHIRE (CONSERVATIVE)

"This decision is a sickening blow to communities across the Borders who have fought so hard to try and save their local post office.

"It shows the consultation up for the sham that it is, making a mockery of the whole process.

"I am particularly disappointed that Post Office Ltd has not taken on board the huge outpouring of local feeling which has been expressed against these plans."

ALASDAIR MORGAN, SOUTH OF SCOTLAND MSP (SNP)

"I am dismayed at the outcome of this consultation.

"We might as well not have bothered to respond.

"I find it difficult to believe that even Sheuchan Street and Lincluden, which are not to be replaced with any alternative service, are to be closed."