Postman's election bid (From Oxford Mail)

Postman's election bid

6:06pm Friday 4th April 2008 in News

Unrest over the future of Royal Mail's Cowley Mail Centre has promoted an Oxford postman to stand for election to Oxford City Council.

Trade union activist Paul Garraway is standing in Cowley ward in the city council elections, which take place on Thursday, May 1.

Today he said he intended to make the proposed closure of the Cowley centre and its relocation to Swindon the central thrust of his campaign.

He said: "Modernisation means later deliveries and laying off 40,000 staff. A valuable public service is being run into the ground, it's time to turn things around.

"Imagine your mail stuck on a truck on the Swindon road - that's what they are proposing."

Half the council's 48 seats are up for grabs in the election, which will determine which political group seizes control of the council.

The authority has been run by a minority Liberal Democrat administration since May, 2006.

One of the most hard-fought battles is looming in Blackbird Leys, where Val Smith, the wife of Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, is standing against Lee Cole of the Independent Working Class Association.

The Tories are fielding candidates in every ward for the first time.

Elections are also being held in West Oxfordshire and Cherwell district.