Conservative MPs Defy Tory Wip Over Royal Mail Privatisation

Two Conservative MPs, one from the NW - Edward Timpson (Crewe & Nantwich  - Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham) and) – voted against the Conservative opposition day motion on Wednesday 11th February calling for partial-privatisation of Royal Mail and then abstained on the Government amendment. This is the first time the MPs have defied their party, made more significant as there was a three line whip in place.

These are quotes from the Conservative Home website (Timpson’s is particularly strong):

Mr Timpson: "Crewe sorting office has been earmarked for closure, with little consultation from Royal Mail. This will result in a loss of up to 600 local jobs, with the majority of staff unable to relocate. The impact on both them and their families at a time of recession would be devastating. They do not oppose modernisation of their industry. Like them, I have found Royal Mail managers and the Minister for Postal Affairs to be disinterested and dismissive rather than concerned with the plight of workers at this time of recession. They have used the Hooper Report as an excuse to retrospectively justify their behaviour. I cannot therefore welcome a report that is being used as a stick with which to beat the third largest workforce in my constituency.  They deserve better than the atrocious treatment they have received."

Mr Kawczynski: "After four years in Parliament and never having voted against my party, I felt I had to in this case. I am in favour of the Post Office remaining in state hands and will not vote for any measure which would wholly or partly privatise it. I have a regular meetings with staff at the huge sorting office in Shrewsbury, which covers Shropshire and a large part of Wales. I have a special strong bond with the workers at the sorting office and I will do everything I can to protect their jobs. I think that privatisation could lead to job losses there, and that's one of the reasons I voted the way I did."

Edward Timpson has been very active in supporting the union’s campaign to keep the Crewe Mail Centre open, speaking at a union rally, lobbying the Government & Royal Mail and joining postal workers who delivered a petition to No10.

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