Prescott backs publicly-owned post office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.scotsman.com/uk/Prescott-bac ... 4911292.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today said he will "fight" for a publicly-owned Post Office, but stopped short of criticising Lord Mandelson's plans for part-privatisation of the Royal Mail.
Labour opponents of the Business Secretary's plans for a partial sell-off have set great stake on securing Mr Prescott's support – either publicly or behind the scenes – for moves to block the change.

Challenged today over whether he backed Lord Mandelson's scheme, the former deputy leader would say only that full details had not yet been made public and indicated that he wanted to see the precise content of any Bill tabled by the Business Secretary.

Mr Prescott told BBC1's Politics Show: "I always support a public Post Office and the Government supports a public Post Office. It will remain in public ownership and it will be a universal service.

"I discuss with ministers what they are doing about the mixture of public and private ownership. I have never been opposed to private money going into the public sector."

Asked whether he approved of Lord Mandelson's proposal to sell off a minority stake in the Royal Mail, possibly to a foreign operator, Mr Prescott replied: "We haven't got the full proposals yet.

"I want a publicly owned Post Office. The manifesto said that and I will fight to keep that... I will want to see the Bill coming."
Mr Prescott famously used a speech in 1994 to promise to block Conservative plans for Royal Mail privatisation.

And opponents of the part-privatisation scheme were heartened when he sent an email last month to a Labour supporter saying: "Fourteen years on, Royal Mail and the Post Office face further difficulties, some due to the reluctance to meet the challenges of change, but they still benefit from remaining in the people's hands."

[apple]

he was on the programme pushing the fact of how to use the internet to get his message across, has a facebook page, think the site was go forth or something like that, said that he enjoyed the debate, anyone want to be his friend? or ask a few questions and see if he answers?

[norbert]

he was on the programme pushing the fact of how to use the internet to get his message across, has a facebook page, think the site was go forth or something like that, said that he enjoyed the debate, anyone want to be his friend? or ask a few questions and see if he answers?

His Staff do it all for him , can't imagine Prezza as a Just For Men surfer ? - it makes me laugh all this New Labour Unity - it wasn't that long ago when they were stabbing each other in the back with their memoirs cash - in auto- biographies :

[POSTMAN]

I've asked to be his friend,wonder if he'll come on here.

[norbert]

I've asked to be his friend,wonder if he'll come on here.

my mates thought it was hilarious - me having Post Office Ken as a friend on My Space - sarcastic barsteward was one comment - I think that's what he said - the ironic thing is the actor that's Post Office Ken also played Prescott in a Carry on style satire , a big expense was the syrup to look like him .

There was also " A very Social Secretary " about the Sheffield Stud - David Blunkett in that series

[apple]

prescott.jpeg

looks like he's here already!

[apple]

here is the link to the go fourth web site, to get labour to a fourth term
http://www.gofourth.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Night Tonic]

Mandy will talk them all round to believing that selling a big chunk of RM still keeps it in the public sector. Prescott won't fight and hasn't really said anything you could tie him down on. As for EDMs, No idea why anyone would even bother following that saga. Its clutching at straws. An EDM is just an EDM. Its a way for MPs to say they're not happy about something or show constituents they are doing something but Tories won't oppose any sale of RM and Labour always ultimately votes with itself rather than upset the cabinet or encourage the opposition into power. Watch everyone beg for Leighton to come back by the end of this year when TNT start taking out more hours. Now if all the tories were against it too, it'd be worth following but otherwise a waste of time and effort. Once any industrial fight is dependent on politics, its over.

[norbert]

Mandy will talk them all round to believing that selling a big chunk of RM still keeps it in the public sector. Prescott won't fight and hasn't really said anything you could tie him down on. As for EDMs, No idea why anyone would even bother following that saga. Its clutching at straws. An EDM is just an EDM. Its a way for MPs to say they're not happy about something or show constituents they are doing something but Tories won't oppose any sale of RM and Labour always ultimately votes with itself rather than upset the cabinet or encourage the opposition into power. Watch everyone beg for Leighton to come back by the end of this year when TNT start taking out more hours. Now if all the tories were against it too, it'd be worth following but otherwise a waste of time and effort. Once any industrial fight is dependent on politics, its over.

Two Shags is parroting off the Party Line after being a naughty boy and having his memoirs published - (the laughable irony is that the New Labour Memoirs usually end up in the Tory Papers )- like blaming that awful inflexible union , it's a lot more complicated than that as the change is always cocked up and management are bombastic and bloody minded .

Let's face it , it's Cowboy John's mates that botched the Postal Services Act 2000 , Brown formed a stakeholder executive to increase the value of RM and other government , whole or part owned companies and were instrumental in appointing :lfo & :cfo who are basically one trick ponies but that's New Liebour , Blue Sky thinking " manageralisim for you ! , New Liebour also railroaded the EEC Directive through - of course he'll blame the CWU to cover his and New Liebour's sorry ar*** .

Class Warrior Prescott is just the opposite side of the same coin .

the other problem was His Toniness's " public sector " reforms" " which had failure built into them as they don't serve the people they are supposed to serve , and the usual contradictory New Labour mixed messages which meant RM's senior managers ( many had to per-sue other careers after 2007 ) who according to the Hooper Review lack postal expertise .

TNT are asking the CWU to be "considerate "

The only thing that awful inflexible union can do is go it alone like the RMT & the FBU and not fund New Liebour .

[BB brother]

You havin a laugh Night Tonic !
Most of the fight is political.Thats not to embue the CWU with overwhelming leverage.

(OMG !.....its finally happened .................Ive turned into a pedant that jumps all over peoples inacuracies :d'oh Im just off to hang myself and may god have mercy on my poor,poor soul )

.

[Night Tonic]

Take whichever answer suits

a) I told you so
b) He who laughs last

If you think an MP revolt will change things, think again. Even if it delayed the sell-off, Mandy will just wait a month or two until everyone gives in. Watch my lips.

[BB brother]

As i said above tonic.Im not usually in the habit of jumpin all over peoples inacuracies and this one certainly isnt worth arguing about.
But on the subject il give u a very simple question and if you can answer it i will be mightily impressed and promise to concede any further points lol

How do you win an argument ?

.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Take whichever answer suits

a) I told you so
b) He who laughs last

If you think an MP revolt will change things, think again. Even if it delayed the sell-off, Mandy will just wait a month or two until everyone gives in. Watch my lips.

Still I need to ask if you don't accept everything that is being suggested by Mandelson and RM management are you saying its not worth resisting or fighting your corner because nothing changes whatever they want will happen come whatever.

[norbert]

Take whichever answer suits

a) I told you so
b) He who laughs last

If you think an MP revolt will change things, think again. Even if it delayed the sell-off, Mandy will just wait a month or two until everyone gives in. Watch my lips.

Still I need to ask if you don't accept everything that is being suggested by Mandelson and RM management are you saying its not worth resisting or fighting your corner because nothing changes whatever they want will happen come whatever.

Private Fraser from Dad's Army here ? - might be a damage limitation thing with New Labour in case they lose all those seats to Dave Snooty and his Pals :mfo & the Lib Dems next year ? :mfo

[Night Tonic]

TBT if you haven't followed the way the way the Labour party operates then I can't help that but look back - whenever it reaches a point of no-confidence, and an EDM might, they will nearly all tuck their tales in and will just stand behind Mandelson. They're too afraid. Theres a MASSIVE difference between standing up for yourself, whatever that means and in whatever context, and pinning hopes on a bunch of backbenchers.

1) Industrail action. Hasn't worked so far except minor concessions
2) Big revolt against pension reforms - er where?
3) CWU stop Labour funding - lot of talk and nothing else.
4) Hope that backbench pressure can change things.

If the first three aren't working, forget it. As I say, clutching at straws.