Lib Dems offer postal guarantee

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpres ... WgF85EfrHw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Liberal Democrats offered a "copper-bottomed guarantee" that mail will continue to be delivered anywhere across the United Kingdom at the same price.

There had been fears that the universal service obligation could be under threat after Business Secretary Vince Cable threw his weight behind a report on the future of the Royal Mail, which said significant amounts of private capital were needed to keep the business afloat.

Last week the TUC backed a campaign by the Communication Workers Union to oppose plans to privatise the business, which claims hundreds of post offices will close and the universal postal service will end if it is sold off.

But at the Liberal Democrat's annual gathering in Liverpool, Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: "I want to be very clear what a future postal service for Scotland must be. Yes explore how best to keep Royal Mail solvent, to stabilise the business, to modernise the network.

"But three conditions, three Scottish conditions apply to reform.

"So conference, I am delighted to tell you that I have secured an agreement from our Business Secretary, Vince Cable.

"He has confirmed today, firstly the universal service obligation is a copper-bottomed guarantee. Posties delivering the same letter at the same price, anywhere in the UK, whether it is Kensington or Kyelachlan.

"Second, Labour's Post Office closure programme, which saw 1,000 close in Scotland will be halted. That is because we know that in many areas Post Offices are part of the community.

"Thirdly, posties will be allowed shares in their company."

[subbie]

"Second, Labour's Post Office closure programme, which saw 1,000 close in Scotland will be halted. That is because we know that in many areas Post Offices are part of the community."

What is this bloke on? The last closure program finished at the beginning of the year, so there is nothing to halt.

Unless of course he means the unofficial closure program of economic starvation coupled with the zero tolerance policy on contract transgressions which has seen PO's close in an uncontrolled way.

And I wonder how Tavish feels about a program of losing traditional PO services to be replaced with a new style of service called PO Local? I wonder if the nice Mr Cable told him about that!

Subbie

[Wiggins79]

"He has confirmed today, firstly the universal service obligation is a copper-bottomed guarantee. Posties delivering the same letter at the same price, anywhere in the UK, whether it is Kensington or Kyelachlan.

Yeah, but as always, devil is in the details. How many times a week will this delivery be? Will it even be direct to your door, or will it be like in Spain where if you live further than 10 miles from the DO you have to go and pick your mail up yourself?

[fishtank]

It also doesn't tell you what that same price will be...£1 from Land's end to John o' Groats might still be a bargain...from one side of town to the other...not so much.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It also doesn't tell you what that same price will be...£1 from Land's end to John o' Groats might still be a bargain...from one side of town to the other...not so much.

and reading between the lines it will be us delivering the John O Groats letter at a loss and TNT, DHL, et al delivering the Urban one at a profit. Still the USO will be protected.

[Wiggins79]

Politicians- don't you just love 'em? :mfo

[Lounge Lizard]

And it might help if Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, could explain where Kyelachlan is, because I've never heard of it. Perhap's it's Scotland's equivalent of Greendale.

[BELIAL]

Would this guarantee be as rock solid as their election manifesto promises?

[DGP1]

Would this guarantee be as rock solid as their election manifesto promises?

You hit the nail right on the head............................a guarantee right up until the time the CONservitives say no

[andy2007]

"Second, Labour's Post Office closure programme, which saw 1,000 close in Scotland will be halted. That is because we know that in many areas Post Offices are part of the community."

What is this bloke on? The last closure program finished at the beginning of the year, so there is nothing to halt.

Unless of course he means the unofficial closure program of economic starvation coupled with the zero tolerance policy on contract transgressions which has seen PO's close in an uncontrolled way.

And I wonder how Tavish feels about a program of losing traditional PO services to be replaced with a new style of service called PO Local? I wonder if the nice Mr Cable told him about that!

Subbie

Think about it: The Public don't know that the closure programme has already ended So when no more get closed, he'll look like he was responsible for saving them. All the credit, none of the effort. A Politition's wet dream!

[Wiggins79]

A Politition's wet dream!

Ewww, why did you say that- I'll be havin nightmare's tonight.