ROYAL MAIL PLAN SHELVED.

‘UNWORKABLE AND UNPOPULAR’ ROYAL MAIL PLAN SHELVED.

SNP Postal Affairs Spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has described Lord Mandelson’s admission that the UK Labour Government will not progress legislation to part-privatise Royal Mail as a humiliating climb down and warned that similar plans introduced in the next Parliament would be disastrous for the postal service.

Commenting, Mr Weir said:

“After months of trying to ignore the mutiny on its own backbenches, the Labour Government has finally admitted that its absurd plan for the part-privatisation of Royal Mail is both unworkable and unpopular by kicking the legislation firmly into the long grass.

“This climb down is humiliating for Gordon Brown but a victory for Royal Mail employees and service users across Scotland.

“Privatisation would spell the beginning of the end for Royal Mail, and open the door to job losses, service cuts and a deterioration in the working conditions of postal workers.

“Instead of wasting time in the next Parliament pursuing these ludicrous privatisation schemes, MPs must focus on solid, workable measures which will ensure a successful, long term future for Royal Mail.”