Speech to CWU demonstration in Witney - Sunday 9th January

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KEEP THE POST PUBLIC

First, we must congratulate the eastern region of the CWU for organising today’s demonstration.
The union is taking this campaign to places where the Labour movement is not so strong. Today, we are saying there is no hiding place for the coalition government.
On January 12th, the House of Commons will take the third reading of the Postal Services Bill.
The coalition government has a big parliamentary majority, so we will assume it will be carried. Hopefully, we may get some amendments passed to limit some of the worst effects.
But that is not the end of it – the bill will then go to the Lords for some months.
Then it still has to come back to the House of Commons for final amendments and assent.
So our campaign has to be stepped up to create greater pressure than we have achieved so far.
Strangely enough, constituencies like David Cameron’s own constituency will do badly from this bill.
Witney is primarily a rural constituency. And the bill will jeopardise the Post Office Network which is vital to such constituencies.
The bill also undermines the universal service. Again, the guarantee of the same service and the same prices everywhere are particularly important for rural constituencies.
Does Cameron really think that a privatised Royal Mail is going to be concerned to ensure that local post offices are kept open?
Does he really think that services and prices in Witney will remain the same as the profitable areas of London?
Actually – I don’t believe Cameron cares. His priorities are for the few, not the many.
But we have to care. Royal Mail serves 28.4 million addresses – 6 days a week – and with a uniform tariff.
It doesn’t favour those people with large bank accounts. It offers a common service to the public. Such a practice is an anathema to the Tories and their Lib Dem stooges.
They say that private capital can substitute the public good. They say that a big society can make up for a small state.
Of course, if you are part of a cabinet of wealthy ministers, then this may hold true.
But for the big majority of people – the public sector and public services matter a great deal.
All it took was a little bit of snow to prove our point.
While the private sector stopped delivering in the snow, Royal Mail stepped up its deliveries to meet its deadlines and its universal obligation.
The shareholders aren’t interested in that. They want to turn a quick profit, with service being a poor second.
So the coalition government is going out of its way not to frighten investors beforehand.
In the Government’s Bill:
• There are no guarantees that a privatised Royal Mail will continue to use Post Office Counters.
• There are 15 ways in which the universal service can be reduced and undermined.
• A privatised Royal Mail will be allowed to go bankrupt, and the government will be allowed to bail it out.
It is then vital that we make it plain to David Cameron – and all of the coalition MPs – that this bill threatens disaster for the postal service.
The Labour Party, and all the minority parties outside the coalition, have opposed the bill.
There are cracks inside the coalition. The inspiring struggle of the students and school students rattled the Lib Dems and created a small rebellion inside the Tories.
We have to pay homage to the young people. The best way to do this, is to step up our fight.
After today, we are planning a national demonstration in Vince Cable’s constituency on January 22nd. I hope you can all come to that event.
On January 12th inside parliament – we will be organising a lobby of MPs to coincide with the third reading.
You must lobby your own MPs in their constituency.
Make sure they will oppose the bill. If they refuse to oppose the bill – then get them to support amendments to strengthen the Post Office Network, and the universal service.
But don’t stop there. We want action inside each of the coalition MPs constituencies.
Organise a meeting if you can – the local CWU branch will get fully involved with you.
Perhaps you can write a letter, or email, to the local press or media. Get something going on facebook or twitter.
Be like those excellent campaigners against tax avoidance by Vodaphone and Top Shop. Get together with friends and like minded people. The CWU will work with you.
Why not get your local council to take a stand?
Many local councils have passed motions against privatisation – that makes our movement stronger.
Today has been a good day – but it is not the end.
Together we must step up our work. The CWU has ruled nothing in, and nothing out, in pursuing this campaign.
In the coming weeks, this issue will rise up the national political agenda.
A broad based, united activity, we will have an impact. Together we will win.
Thanks for listening.