The UK Labour Government agreed to the sell off of Royal Mail on 16th December 2024 to Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský .
The UK Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said that it was a significant deal that ‘contains commitments that protect, and secure investment in, Royal Mail’s postal network which is important to everyone from small business owners in Southampton to online shoppers in Shetland.’
EP Group Chairman Daniel Křetínský made a large part of his incredible wealth in Central and Eastern Europe. Despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine one of his companies Eustream, continues to trade with Russia under an agreement with the EU. It transports Russian gas via pipelines that run through Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The Royal Mail, once the envy of the world, has been reduced over the recent decades to find itself now owned by a Czech billionaire. How has it come to this ?
Past Kings have always known the importance of having a fast, efficient and secure postal service. It was one of the actions of James VI, King of Scots, when he took up the throne of England, that he established a royal postal service between London and Edinburgh. He was a King who understood all about the control of power. As did Henry VIII of England who in 1516, established the position of Master of the Posts. It was the ‘Royal Mail’.
The Post Office Act 1660 of King Charles II established the GPO – General Post Office.
Lots of innovations took place over the next couple of centuries including universal postage (the same rate paid wherever you lived), postage stamps, pillar boxes, mail trains, and air mail. During two world wars the delivery of mail continued sometimes bringing very sad news in the death of a loved one. It was vital in boosting the morale of service personnel in the front line, and even those incarcerated in Prisoner of War camps received mail. Where would the romances that blossomed between service men/women and the sweethearts who waited at home have been without Royal Mail ?