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MPs fight to keep Royal Mail public
‘Post Office should be for the good of the country – not private companies’ shareholders’
THE government must stick to an election pledge to keep the Post Office public, Camden’s MPs have warned.
Frank Dobson and Glenda Jackson are among 140 Labour MPs who have publicly opposed a Parliamentary Bill to be published today (Thursday) by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson which would see parts of Royal Mail sold off to private investors.
Holborn and St Pancras MP Mr Dobson said if the Bill was pushed through without changes it would not just be a political own goal but would be like “scoring an own goal in a penalty shootout”.
He said there were three big issues that the Post Office has to face.
“With a declining number of letters being sent, the business has less income,” said Mr Dobson.
“Also, postal workers face a massive black hole in their pension funds after the Conservative government in the 1990s gave Royal Mail a pension contributions holiday, meaning it took 10 years off from paying any funds into the pension pot for its retiring workers.”
Finally, Mr Dobson said that the most profitable part of the postal industry, bulk deliveries for businesses, had been opened to competition, leaving Royal Mail with the expensive universal delivery service as their only exclusive domain.
“We are in this mess because the private sector has creamed off the most profitable services,” said Mr Dobson.
“Unless the taxpayer picks up the pension bill, private investors will not come in anyway. The Post Office should stay in state hands, and the bulk services should be returned to them so they are run for the good of the country, not private companies’ shareholders.”
He added: “We promised at the last election we would not privatise the Post Office. Contrary to what people may think of politicians, I believe we must keep our promises.”
His views have been echoed by Hampstead and Highgate MP Glenda Jackson. She told the New Journal: “It is vitally important that government is made aware of the real anxiety being expressed to me, and I think all MPs, over what the present proposals will produce.”
Ms Jackson said she was pleased to see the Communications Workers Union protesting outside Parliament earlier this week.
Jo Shaw, the Lib Dems’ prospective parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, said she was also against the plans.
“It seems the government plans are completely unclear,” she said. Ms Shaw said she would welcome employees of the Royal Mail taking a stake in the company, similar to staff at the John Lewis department store who own shares in the business. |
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