Business department aide joins Royal Mail rebellion

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A Welsh ministerial aide from Lord Mandelson’s own business department has joined the rebellion over part-privatising Royal Mail, it was disclosed today.

Sian James (Swansea East), PPS to consumer affairs minister Gareth Thomas, has signed a motion protesting against the idea.

Chief Treasury Secretary Yvette Cooper’s aide, John Robertson (Glasgow North West), has also voiced his opposition.

The news means that at least 10 Government figures are on a collision course with its policy – with some having indicated they are ready to quit over the issue.

It also makes it increasingly likely that Gordon Brown and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson will have to rely on Tory votes to get the measure passed.

A total of 140 Labour MPs have now backed the early day motion tabled by backbencher Geraldine Smith, which insists that any sell-off would “risk fracturing one of Britain’s greatest public services”.

However, with the Upper House due to debate the Postal Services Bill next week, Lord Mandelson has shown little sign of wavering. He insists part-privatisation is vital to reform and refinance the service.

Mr Robertson told the Press Association he hoped “to persuade the Government not to pursue this policy”.

Asked if he was ready to resign over the issue, the MP replied: “Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Other Government members signed up include: David Anderson (Blaydon), PPS to Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell; Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire), PPS to Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell; David Hamilton (Midlothian), PPS to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband; Stephen Hesford (Wirral West), PPS to Solicitor General Vera Baird; Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East and Washington West), PPS to Health Minister Dawn Primarolo; Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), PPS to Development Secretary Hilary Benn; and Stephen Pound (Ealing North), PPS to Treasury minister Stephen Timms.

The Prime Minister’s special envoy to Iraq, Ann Clwyd, has also added her name.

All have been assured by Labour Whips that they will not be disciplined for their protest.

The Government has already suffered embarrassment over the proposed sell-off when the PPS to postal services minister Pat McFadden, Jim McGovern, quit in December.

Meanwhile it was announced that MPs studying the future of the Royal Mail are to visit a county where three post offices have been re-opened with the help of local authorities.

The Business and Enterprise Committee will hold a number of regional meetings, starting next week in Essex, where three post offices have been saved from closure.

Committee chairman Peter Luff (Conservative Mid Worcestershire) said local authorities in Essex had been devising “innovative” ways of keeping branches open.