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Row erupts over Post Office action
A CAMPAIGN to save Sheffield's threatened post offices has erupted into a spat between politicians.
Sheffield Communities Against Post Office Closures or SCAPOC, which is led by the Green Party and Socialist Party, has organised a public rally for Saturday September 20.
But organisers have criticised council leader Paul Scriven and his Lib Dem colleagues for refusing to support the city centre demonstration publicly.
Coun Scriven has hit back, saying it's time to stop squabbling and start pulling together to save the 16 post offices which are under threat.
Campaigners hope thousands of people will join them for the rally, which will assemble at Barker's Pool at 1.30pm and then march up and down Fargate to the Town Hall.
SCAPOC spokesman Alistair Tice said: "Around 5,000 signatures were presented to the council from Derbyshire Lane, Norfolk Park, Grimesthorpe and the Socialist Party.
"Having made so much of the need for a united campaign, I was amazed all the Lib Dem councillors then voted against the Green Party amendment to support the demonstration.
"I am asking the Lib Dems to change their minds and offer full support to this important demonstration."
Coun Scriven said the council had already launched its biggest ever campaign to stop post offices from closing. There is a petition at www.sheffield .gov.uk/saveourpostoffices and copies in the Town Hall, all libraries and First Points.
Coun Scriven said: "Regard-less of our political differences, we are trying to do the same thing which is save post offices.
"Rather than criticise the Lib Dems they should be criticising the Labour Government which is forcing these closures.
"The Lib Dems have not boycotted this rally and I'm sure there will be some councillors there on the day to support their local communities."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: East
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