Labour fuels MPs' rebellion over Royal Mail privatisation

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... isation.do" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Labour joined forces with dissident Coalition MPs today to trigger the second Commons rebellion this week against flagship legislation.

A rebel clause designed to protect local post office branches after privatisation was backed by shadow business secretary John Denham, turning it into a cross-party challenge to the Government.

Up to 27 Liberal Democrat and Tory MPs were indicating privately that they might be willing to break ranks, forcing a last-minute whipping operation to stave off a full-blooded revolt.

Colchester Lib-Dem MP Bob Russell was behind the clause, which would force ministers to let Post Office Ltd enjoy service agreements with the Royal Mail for a full decade after a partial sell-off. The effect would be to help smaller local post offices stay open for longer after the services are split up.

“It is an issue that the public feel very strongly about,” said Mr Russell. “In my heart I oppose privatisation but I have to accept it is going to happen so we want to ameliorate the effects.”

The Communication Workers Union has warned that selling off the Royal Mail arm of the business could lead to a fresh wave of branch closures.

Business Minister Ed Davey pledged: “We won't repeat the previous government's closure programmes. The Post Office is not for sale. We are providing £1.34 billion of new funding.”

Privatisation is deemed necessary because the Royal Mail has a massive pension deficit and is losing business every year.

[guvenor]

its all very well talking about saving post office does that mean its inevitable royal mail is finished then what about saving us