YOUR report 'MP slated over post office plan', (August 30) whetted my appetite to investigate just how York's MP, Hugh Bayley, has responded to the numerous opportunities in Parliament to oppose the closure of the city's sub- post offices.

Take for instance his record as a signatory on Early Day Motions (EDMs).

On January 15 an EDM, "Closure of urban post offices" was tabled: "This House calls on the Government to ensure that the Post Office closure programme for urban post offices is conducted systematically and only after first consulting all relevant parties including post office users...".

Hugh Bayley didn't sign it.

But on May 19 a second EDM, "Post office closures' was tabled: "That this House deeply regrets the trend in post office closures across communities; calls on the Government to review its policies on payment of benefits and pensions and to enable post offices to provide full banking services, as these policies are causing many post office closures."

You've guessed it, Hugh Bayley didn't sign this either.

He did, however, sign or table around 60 other EDMs in the last Parliamentary session on subjects such as the Danube Delta; trophy hunting; Brighton & Hove Albion FC; conflict in Northern Uganda and India-Pakistan relations.

I hope everyone sympathising with Bettie Marsden opposing the closure of Albemarle Road post office (Letters, August 31), or Mrs Blakeborough's nearest post office in Bishopthorpe Road(Letters, September 1) remembers this when they vote for him.

But don't count on sending your vote by post. It looks as if Labour have stamped their disapproval on that option too.

Clive Booth,

York's Conservative parliamentary candidate,

Ash Street, York.

Updated: 09:43 Friday, September 03, 2004