Prescott says Royal Mail privatisation plans can't work

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9th February 2009

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has questioned the practicalities of privatising part of Royal Mail while the Government takes responsibilities for pensions.

Attending a two day Labour Party conference for Yorkshire and Humberside, Mr Prescott questioined how Royal Mail pensions could be with the Government while the terms and conditions relating to other matters remained with the company. "Pensions and pay usually come together, its just not practical," said Mr Prescott, who reasserted his total opposition to the part privatisation plans put forward by Business minister Peter Mandelson. Mr Prescott was speaking to CWU officials at their stand.

Labour MEPs Richard Corbett and Linda McAvan both signed the CWU petition expressing support for a fully publically owned Royal Mail.
There was also total support from Yorkshire and Humberside constituency labour parties for Royal Mail remaining in public ownership with 90 per cent of delegates signing the petition.

Addressing a fringe meeting at the conference Labour MP John Grogan expressed his "disgust" that there is talk about privatising a profitable concern like Royal Mail while the debts of the banks can apparently be nationalised.

The conference was attended by a number of members of the Government, including health minister Alan Johnson, deputy leader Harriet Harman, education minister Ed Balls and Europe minister Caroline Flint.