Tanya August-Hanson MLC has resigned as vice-chairman of the Post Office.

In a letter to Chief Minister Howard Quayle, Post Office chairman Julie Edge MHK and Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly, she said: ’I stand by decisions I have made in support of the board through changes from a six to a five day week, from employee pay grading and equalisation with an eye on equality, to pensions reform, all with a determined focus in benevolently moving the Isle of Man Post Office back into profit responsibly.

’I’ve also supported the board in bringing a retail strategy to Tynwald, where it was approved by members.

’However, I cannot in good faith support the board further, as I feel that the strategy and its roll-out are not aligned.’

She added: ’The Isle of Man Post Office has a huge social responsibility in delivering on its contract with Treasury’s Social Security Division.

’It is paid through that contract to deliver services efficiently and reasonably for pension and benefits customers, and I don’t believe that a proper emphasis is being placed on how the public might best be served in their communities.’

Last year saw a range of cuts in services including a reduction in letter deliveries, from six days to five, and the closure of local post services such as at St John’s and Pulrose.

The Post Office’s retail strategy was approved by Tynwald in October.

Miss August-Hanson said a consultation on the resignation of sub-postmasters is an ‘opportunity to find an innovative solution on a case-by-case basis’.

She said: ‘I wish the board and its executive the very best of luck in finding that reasonable ratio – balancing financial efficacy with social responsibility.

The last two years had been a ‘real education’, she said, adding that she would be ‘happy to undertake another role in support of government in a statutory board or office in future, should the Chief Minister find one that is a good fit with my skillset’.