It is incredible how long it has taken successive governments to address the clear injustice faced by
hundreds of honest, hard-working people at the Post Office.
We shouldn’t need a TV drama to get the Government to do the right thing and address a manifest
injustice on this scale.
The severity and scale of the scandal was made worse by the economic model chosen for the Post
Office. Ministers washed their hands of responsibility while this public corporation – with the
Government as the sole shareholder – was told to chase profits and allowed to take risks with
unproven, outsourced technology.
No one was in charge, no one cared and when it all went wrong, no one was responsible. We need
models of ownership that put public interest and accountability first. The scandal also raises
questions about the obsession from all government parties with outsourcing and avoiding
responsibility.
It is right that every wrongful conviction is overturned as quickly as possible, but the fact that the
Government has been forced to bring forward emergency legislation that overrides the justice
process underlines how ministers let this tragedy drift on into a full-blown crisis.
This is not the first time government has been found wanting when the lives of people have been
turned upside down by failings in public administration. Too many are still waiting for justice, from
Grenfell residents and infected blood scandal victims to nuclear test veterans.
Every one of these injustices needs resolving as soon as possible.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
I want to give a shout out to Vision 21 and the repair cafes they run each month. They run 10-1pm
on the first Saturday of the month at St Andrew’s Church on Montpellier Street.
With the ongoing cost of living crisis and climate emergency, there is no better way to do your bit by
keep using things you already have. This cafe repairs anything from electrical goods to textiles.
It is time the UK follows the lead set by France, where the public can claim back anything between
€6 and €25 of the cost of mending clothes and shoes at registered businesses from the government.
They have also introduced a similar scheme for repairing electronic gadgets and appliances. Such
schemes will significantly help to reduce waste and boost the circular economy.
Before you head to the shops to replace something which is damaged or no longer works, consider
paying a visit to Cheltenham’s repair cafe – it might save you money and help the planet at the same
time.
If you have any questions about this article or want to raise any issues with me as your Green Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham, you can contact me at directly at daniel.wilson@cheltenham.greenparty.org.uk
