The end for Royal Mail?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news ... Mail_.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

By Rob Gibson MSP

ON the week the SNP laid out its forward looking programme for this session, including ensuring Scottish Water becomes an income earner for Scots of future generations as a public corporation, the news from the Coalition in London was bleak.
Click here to find out more!

I have campaigned on a range of Royal Mail and Post Office issues and fears about the loss of the Universal Service Obligation which is so important to communities and the general public in far-flung areas. This week the LibDem and Tory Coalition has signalled full privatisation of Royal Mail.

This must signal the beginning of the end for Royal Mail with job losses, service cuts and a deterioration in the working conditions of postal workers. The service provided by Royal Mail is a public service and it should remain so.

Some parts of the service are running at a loss. We all know it costs more to deliver to rural areas than to cities but the whole point of Royal Mail is that everyone can use it at a reasonable price. That simply cannot be put at risk. Rural businesses rely on Royal Mail to get goods to market and to communicate with customers and suppliers. The rural economy needs that service if it is to continue to grow and diversify.

I well remember the Lib Dems 'Save our Post Offices' campaign. Now that policy page has been removed from their website. Are they now regretting such a pledge given the likelihood many post offices may have to close under the new proposals?