Labour MP slams postal sell-off scam

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news ... ull/136711" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A Labour MP has launched a new campaign against the Con-Dem plan to privatise Royal Mail.

Shadow Postal Affairs Minister Ian Murray said that both the public and businesses rely on a daily delivery service and that the sell-off would affect the most vulnerable in our society.

He warned that places where it is expensive or complicated to deliver the post every day - such as rural areas or tower blocks - could be adversely hit if the plan goes ahead.

In a letter to Business Minister Michael Fallon, Mr Murray the MP for Edinburgh South, said he was "deeply concerned" at the planned sell off.

He wrote: "In my constituency, as in so many others, the local postie is the beating heart of the community.

"They know our comings and goings, they know when things are not quite right, they know when the old, the isolated or the vulnerable might need a friend to help out."

Urging the government to reconsider its plans, he added: "David Cameron does not need to do this.

"The Royal Mail made a £400 million profit last year but there's a real risk that this money will go to private shareholders instead of being invested back into the service so we can all continue to rely on the services such as daily delivery."

Labour is also warning that many customers might have to travel miles to pick up large parcels, as a privatised Royal Mail could choose to sell off assets like local delivery offices.

A Department for Business spokesman said: "Royal Mail is one of Britain's biggest companies but it also needs future access to private capital to be able to continue its modernisation programme and to seize opportunities for growth such as the boom in on-line shopping.
"That is why we are pursuing a sale of Royal Mail shares this financial year. Parliament decided two years ago that this was the right approach. It would be hard to say we have rushed the process."

[Red Robbo]

Ian who ????

[Lounge Lizard]

Ian who ????

Murray.
They say you can't hurry a Murray and, yes, he's several years too late.