Lib Dems in Manchester gave their  full  backing to a Tory post office scheme that could mean over 15 local post offices being shut down with out any meaningful consultation with residents.  Lib Dems attempts to introduce the scheme  were turned down and  Manchester City Council backed Labours package of measures aimed to maximise customer access and long term viability of the Manchester Post Office network.

Labour councillor Sheila Newman speaking after the Council meeting on 26/03/08  said "the Lib Dems demanded the Council give a green light to the Post Office to close post offices in Manchester.   It is an astounding suggestion - the Post Office  hands  over local  post offices  to the council  who then shut  them down.  Manchester Labour is opposed to post office closures and  is  supporting  other English Councils  in calling for a halt in post office  closures and  finding better  ways by which councils  are a able to intervene to secure the future of a local post office . We are also looking very carefully  at  the legal action being  taken by Ken Livingstone  against the Post Office in  London  as we may want to  do the same thing here  in Manchester."

Frank Duffy condemns the Lib Dem policies  as "crackers". "The Lib Dem policies are  crackers " Frank said "they  are  willing to throw away our valued post offices,  they want to sell off the Royal Mail  -  they  simply don't care about   Manchester people".  

The Manchester City Council meeting backed Labours position and overwhelmingly threw out the dangerous Lib Dem proposals.