SIR, — It was heartening to read (Herts Advertiser, August 7) that political differences have been put aside in Harpenden with the aim of getting as many people as possible to send contributions to the Post Office consultation re the Station Road North of

SIR, - It was heartening to read (Herts Advertiser, August 7) that political differences have been put aside in Harpenden with the aim of getting as many people as possible to send contributions to the Post Office consultation re the Station Road North office closure.

However, as usual, the wrong target has been selected. The poor old Post Office is being forced to close offices as a direct result of loss of business due to the handing over of much of the more profitable work to private companies - mostly foreign owned.

Those companies are only interested in the profitable bulk mail so the poor old Post Office is left to deliver the rest. Why has this happened? Because the European Union has ordered it and our pathetic MPs lamely go along with it in the name of competition. It is supposed to improve efficiency but the only effect is to give big profits to German, Dutch and American firms - you see their vans around all the time now. So the PO has to save money by closing offices.

Perhaps if politicians of all parties stood up for the rights and well-being of their electors we would not find ourselves in this position. It applies to the other services, which have been sold off to foreign companies. Why do the French own so much of our water industry, for instance? The French Government wouldn't allow it in France, EU or no EU.

So I'm not impressed when local politicians in Harpenden show so much concern about the branch post office closure. It is necessary because of the incompetence of the politicians of all parties in Westminster who are in love with the EU, probably because they aspire to some of the 50,000 jobs in Brussels when they get kicked out of Westminster.

The next time you buy a bottle of Buxton water - if you don't buy the French Evian - look at the label. The company is now owned by the Swiss. What was that in the Bible about selling your birthright?

BARRY HAVES,

Southfield Way, St Albans.