WEIR WARNING ON POSTAL PRIVATISATION PLAN

WEIR WARNING ON POSTAL PRIVATISATION PLAN

SNP Postal Affairs spokesperson Mike Weir MP has described reports the
Con/Dem government are considering giving postal workers shares in
Royal Mail, through a John Lewis-style trust, under privatisation
plans, as a “fig leaf”.

Mr Weir said:

“This is just a fig leaf for the sell-off because the majority of
shares would still be held by private investors whose sole focus would
be private profit not public good.

“Royal Mail is not just another business, but a vital public service
and any privatisation will undermine and put the universal service
obligation at risk, whether or not a small percentage of shares are
retained for the workforce.

“Previous privatisation schemes that encouraged small shareholders
have not prevented companies being taken over.

“The future of our postal services must be as a vibrant public
service, and the government should focus on investing in Royal Mail as
a public service for the public good.”