ROYAL MAIL FIGHT COMES TO HOLYROOD.

ROYAL MAIL FIGHT COMES TO HOLYROOD.

SNP RE-AFFIRM OPPOSITION TO ROYAL MAIL SELL-OFF.

The Scottish Parliament will this week hear opposition to UK Government plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail as the UK Government comes under increasing pressure to scrap it's proposals.

SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn will host a members debate (Thursday 7th) in support of the campaign to keep the post public, adding pressure from the Scottish Parliament to the opposition to Labour's proposals..

Speaking ahead of the debate Central Scotland MSP Jamie Hepburn said;

"The future of Royal Mail as a public service is a vital interest to Scotland. The postal service must remain run for and owned by the public.

"It is plain as day that privatisation would spell the beginning of the end for Royal Mail, opening the door to job losses, service cuts and a deterioration in the working conditions of postal workers.

"It is disappointing to see that despite this weekend's speculation that the plans will be dropped to spare Gordon Brown a further embarrassing defeat the UK Government seems determined to continue.

"A private partner will only be concerned with profit, and Royal Mail must not lose its social focus which is essential for Scotland. Peter Mandelson must ditch these ridiculous plans, and focus on investing in Royal Mail as a public service for the public good.
"The Scottish Parliament can not determine the fate of the Royal Mail, but we can make our feelings clear and bring pressure to bear on Lord Mandelson and those in Labour pushing the privatisation agenda. "With Labour MPs rebelling in London I hope at least one Labour MSP will speak up for those Royal Mail employees fearful of their future under Labour's privatisation plans. "The SNP is committed to seeing the Royal Mail remain a public service and we will continue to put pressure on the UK Government to drop this ridiculous privatisation plan."

MORE ON THIS INTERESTING SCOTTISH STORY.

S3M-03691# Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Proposed Part-privatisation of Royal Mail <http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business/motions/Default.aspx?motionid=16066> — That the Parliament notes the continuing debate at Westminster about the possible part-privatisation of the Royal Mail; further notes that over 170 MPs, including over 140 Labour members, have signed the Early Day Motion in the name of Geraldine Smith MP opposing the plans; welcomes the leading role played by the Communication Workers Union in the campaign against the proposals, and believes that any privatisation of the Royal Mail will have a detrimental effect on postal services in central Scotland and across the country.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Dr Bill Wilson, Stuart McMillan, Bob Doris, Gil Paterson, Mike Pringle, Brian Adam, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Sandra White, Joe FitzPatrick, Rob Gibson, John Wilson, Patrick Harvie, Michael Matheson, Christine Grahame
Lodged on Thursday, March 12, 2009; Current.