Royal Mail's future 'in the public sector' says Labour

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8615810.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Labour has cast doubt on its plans to sell part of the Royal Mail to the private sector.

In its election manifesto, the party said that "continuing modernisation and investment will be needed by the Royal Mail in the public sector".

No mention of the privatisation plans, delayed in Parliament last year, was made.

But speaking to the BBC, Labour's Lord Mandelson denied there had been a change in policy.

He said that a future Labour government may try again to sell part of Royal Mail to a private company.

But the BBC's business editor, Robert Peston said the pledge being made was clear.

"It couldn't be more explicit," he said.

"[It is] an important formal commitment that it would not privatise Royal Mail for at least the lifetime of the next parliament."

Lord Mandelson postponed a bill outlining the sale of a stake in Royal Mail last year, citing unfavourable economic conditions that would not provide "value for the taxpayer".

The planned sale had dismayed some Labour backbenchers, who pointed to the party's 2005 election manifesto which also contained what appeared to be a pledge to keep Royal Mail publicly-owned.

"Our ambition is to see a publicly owned Royal Mail fully restored to good health, providing customers with an excellent service and its employees with rewarding employment," the manifesto said.

Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are due to unveil their election manifestos later this week.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Labour abandons plan to privatise Royal Mail

http://www.citywire.co.uk/Adviser/-/new ... ?ID=393312" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Labour has shied away from the prospect of privatising the Royal Mail with a commitment in its manifesto that the postal service will stay in the public sector.
‘The universal postal service delivered by the Royal Mail connects and binds us together as a country,’ said the document.

‘We are firmly committed to the 28 million homes and businesses across the country receiving mail six days a week, with the promise that one price goes everywhere... For the future, continuing modernisation and investment will be needed by the Royal Mail in the public sector.’

Ministers had previously said that whole or part privatisation is the only way to safeguard the organisation, threatened by a pension shortfall and falling mail volumes.

Having published a plan to sell off a proposed 30% stake last year, Lord Mandelson was forced to backtrack on the commitment after failing to find a credible bidder.

The Communication Workers Union, one of the Labour party’s core backers, had reacted furiously to the proposals.

Reform of the mail services has proved painfully slow, piecemeal and controversial in recent years and the Royal Mail has fallen far down the list of European providers.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Ruling out privatisation does not rule out "Part Privatisation" as we found out last year

[pinstripe]

Ruling out privatisation does not rule out "Part Privatisation" as we found out last year

Exactly. I don't believe for one second that Labour will not sell at least 49% off just as soon as they can. They'll keep 51% and hey, we'll still be in public ownership.
I believe their comments as much as the ones from the last election and the Warwick Agreement.

[Lounge Lizard]

Ruling out privatisation does not rule out "Part Privatisation" as we found out last year

Exactly. I don't believe for one second that Labour will not sell at least 49% off just as soon as they can. They'll keep 51% and hey, we'll still be in public ownership.
I believe their comments as much as the ones from the last election and the Warwick Agreement.

To me "Royal Mail in the public sector" means Royal Mail 100% in the Public Sector - someting for me to check with any Labour candidate or canvasser that knocks on my door.

[pinstripe]

Ruling out privatisation does not rule out "Part Privatisation" as we found out last year

Exactly. I don't believe for one second that Labour will not sell at least 49% off just as soon as they can. They'll keep 51% and hey, we'll still be in public ownership.
I believe their comments as much as the ones from the last election and the Warwick Agreement.

To me "Royal Mail in the public sector" means Royal Mail 100% in the Public Sector - someting for me to check with any Labour candidate or canvasser that knocks on my door.

I bet they say it will remain 100% in the public sector. You'll be able to tell their lying...their lips will move. (A bit like linos and reading)

[k979aaa]

Does it make any difference? New labour F**KED US ALL so what difference does it make public or private?. :mfo