"Postwatch failed to assert their power"

The controversial decision to close our post office was raised in the Senedd today, during First Minister's Questions, by Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks (I am very grateful to Plaid's Ioan Bellin for informing me about this)

Here is the exchange between Chris and Rhodri Morgan.

CHRIS FRANKS: In a letter from Downing Street to a constituent regarding Llantrisant post office it said that: 'Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail, will now personally decide on issues where the Post Office and Postwatch cannot reach agreement.'

As far as the local community is concerned this did not happen in the case of Llantrisant. Postwatch failed to assert their power to refer the case to Allan Leighton.

Would you agree that this shows that the whole consultation process is fatally flawed?

RHODRI MORGAN: Could you send me the details of that because that sounds very interesting and it may be something that everybody will want to avail themselves on in attempting to reduce or combat the proposed closures in their areas...to ensure that Postwatch is encouraged to utilise to the full its ability to put closure directly on appeal to the Chairman of Royal Mail.

Rhodri's response to the information Chris will no doubt send him should be very intriguing indeed.