Royal Mail Privatisation Back On Government Agenda

With the formation of the first coalition government since the war, and formed between the Conservative and Liberal Democrats, many would be forgiven for thinking that the worst of Tory policies stated in their election manifesto would be curtailed.

However, with the publication today of the coalition governments agreement on policy for the next five years, it is clear that when it comes to Royal Mail and the view of the public, political idealism and dogma wins.

The CWU nationally have responded with the following press release:

Responding to the Lib-Con coalition government's plans published today (Thursday) to push ahead with privatisation and breaking up Royal Mail Group, the Communication Workers Union warns of "old politics" at play.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "This is old politics wrapped in new language. The British public has consistently rejected the privatisation of Royal Mail. The move to regurgitate failed policies will be deeply unpopular."

The document entitled "The Coalition: our programme for government", the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government spells out once again the intention to privatise the Royal Mail:

* We will seek to ensure an injection of private capital into Royal Mail, including opportunities for employee ownership. We will retain Post Office Ltd in public ownership.

Meanwhile, the BBC News Website reported on the news in a short article which began:

"The UK's coalition government has confirmed that it will seek a partial privatisation of Royal Mail.

In its latest coalition agreement document, the government said it would seek "an injection of private capital" in Royal Mail.

However, it did not say how much of the struggling mail group would be up for sale.

The previous Labour government shelved its controversial plans to part-privatise Royal Mail last year.

There will be "opportunities for employee ownership", the Conservative-Lib Dem agreement said, while the post office network will remain in public ownership.

Post offices will be allowed to offer a wider range of services, and ideas including a Post Office bank - which the previous government was considering - will be explored to provide new sources of revenue."

No doubt with the CWU annual conference taking place this weekend in Bournemouth, there will be debates on this issue.

Source: CWU / BBC News / Cabinet Office

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