PM determined on Royal Mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8f4bed38-cca3 ... ck_check=1

Gordon Brown signalled his determination to override cabinet concerns about plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail, as the resignation of a ministerial aide reflected a growing Labour revolt on the issue.

Tensions over the plan to sell off a stake in the postal operator surfaced at this week's cabinet meeting. The outright opposition of many Labour MPs was epitomised by Jim McGovern, who quit as parliamentary private secretary to Pat McFadden, the business minister. Mr McGovern's assertion that the plan "simply beggars belief" was seized on by the Tories. "Labour is split from top to bottom on this," said Alan Duncan, the shadow business secretary.

But the government played down talk of splits. The prime minister yesterday e-mailed Labour party members to underscore his support for Lord Mandelson's proposals.