MPs slam Royal Mail privatisation

[fishtank]

MPs slam Royal Mail privatisation
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25th June 2013

In a packed Westminster Hall debate this afternoon (Tuesday) MPs from a range of political parties stood up to voice opposition and concern at the government's plans to privatise Royal Mail.


The debate was called by CWU-supported MP Katy Clark, Labour North Ayrshire and Arran, who opened the debate by saying: "The service to the public would be severely put at risk by a privatised Royal Mail." She put a compelling case forwards against privatisation, arguing that there is a need to ensure mail services operate in such a way they have a long term future. She, and others, quoted last week's CWU ballot result of Royal Mail workers in which 96% opposed privatisation on a 74% turnout.


Ian Murray, Labour's shadow postal affairs spokesman, said: "There is a compelling case for keeping the Royal Mail in public hands." He responded following contributions highlighting concerns about the universal service being downgraded, private companies being allowed to cherry-pick services, rural areas being left isolated and examples given of other privatisation exercises which had failed such as East Coast trains where the taxpayer had to step in. He questioned BIS Minister Michael Fallon on his statement in 2009 opposing privatisation of Royal Mail and highlighted the wide group of organisations opposed to privatisation.


Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, was watching the debate and commented: "It is wonderful to hear so many MPs stand up in defence of Royal Mail and the postal services we value so much. The arguments put forward today are strong, and loud and clear - privatisation is not the will of postal workers or customers and it would cause more harm than good. There are too many unanswered questions and history has shown us how failures cost the taxpayer more in the long-run. This is a profitable successful company and should be allowed to continue to flourish in public ownership."

Contributions from other MPs:

Gregory Campbell MP (DUP) asked: "why can't Royal Mail continue to make profit in the public sector?"


Robert Flello MP suggested Royal Mail could be completely dismantled by a private owner. He praised postal workers for adapting to change in line with stringent business transformation.


Sharon Hodgson MP welcomed "this much needed debate". She stated 96% of Royal Mail staff oppose sale. "The ballot result should embarrass the government and remind them that principles cannot be privatised. Privatisation of Royal Mail puts postal workers' jobs and the service at risk and puts profits before people."


Mike Weir MP (left), SNP Angus, said he was "strongly opposed to privatisation" and that "Ofcom does not have the power to stop Royal Mail introducing zonal pricing. First class stamp prices are amongst the highest in Europe."


David Anderson MP said: "Listen to the voice of the workforce and the public" and compared the Royal Mail sell-off to the sell-off of local bus services where fares went up. He also commented on the CWU's ballot result saying: "74% turnout is probably more turnout than any of us got in elections" emphasising the democratic weight of the result.


Ian Lavery MP (left) gave a strong speech saying: "Privatisation fails this country."


Iain McKenzie, MP for Inverclyde, said: "Royal Mail is more than just a business, it's a service."

The Minister was asked how much fees Goldman Sachs and UBS stand to make from Royal Mail sale? The Save Our Royal Mail campaign estimate £30 million. This prompted Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan, to Tweet: " Why won't Ministers tell us how much Goldman Sachs and UBS stand to make from the Royal Mail sell off?"


On a related note, Labour MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn called Post Office's franchising plans "nonsense" in relation to plans to close 76 Crown post offices.

[houseoflords]

The Labour party wanted it privatised too, so I don't know why there jumping on the band wagon, probably to gain some support for thierselves, all as bad as each other these MPs, wouldn't trust a single one of 'em!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The Labour party wanted it privatised too, so I don't know why there jumping on the band wagon, probably to gain some support for thierselves, all as bad as each other these MPs, wouldn't trust a single one of 'em!

Most of the ones that spoke against the privatisation of RM this afternoon voted against the Labour Partys attempt, so no jumping there. In fact the Minister who was so vocal in his support of this attempt, voted against the motion when he was a Tory Back Bencher, if anyone is jumping on the band wagon it could be him even if it is a different wagon to ours.

[fishtank]

The Labour party wanted it privatised too, so I don't know why there jumping on the band wagon,

Couldn't care less.
The aim is to stop privatisation,not pick favourite dinner guests.
If that meant joining forces with the devil herself it would be worth it.

[UnhappyGremlin]

Have to agree with FT and TBT.
We want to stop privatisation if we can, and that would be impossible to achieve if we don't get enough MP's to speak out about it and support our bid.
I think I'm right in saying to privatise RM would require a vote in parliament, therefore we need MP's to start backing our opposition, and to vote against it.
I don't trust MP's any more, and most of the country doesn't. But without them, we can't even have a chance of blocking privatisation.
Yes, they may only be trying to present themselves in a favourable light to constituents, but it has highlighted our cause, and that can only be a good thing.

[thelastpostie]

The Labour party wanted it privatised too, so I don't know why there jumping on the band wagon,

Couldn't care less.
The aim is to stop privatisation,not pick favourite dinner guests.
If that meant joining forces with the devil herself it would be worth it.

I remember being at a meeting many years back with Alan Johnson where he said that Tim Bell, the conservative PR guru, who along with the Saatchi brothers masterminded Margaret Thather's 1979 election campaign. Helped the union defeat the last attempt to privatise the Post Office as a way of getting back at Michael Heseltine for his leadership challenge.

[the deliverer]

Privatisation of Royal Mail

View the debate here:
Read the transcript here: Scroll down to 25 Jun 2013 : Column 35WH