WHITEFORD WELCOMES RETREAT ON ROYAL MAIL PRIVATISATION PLAN
Wednesday 1 July 2009
SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has described Lord Mandelson's admission that the UK Government will not progress legislation to part-privatise Royal Mail as a 'humiliating climb down' but sounded a warning that, if similar plans are introduced in the next Parliament, they would be disastrous for the postal service.
The SNP candidate has been vocal in her defence of Royal Mail and postal services.
Scottish National Party MPs have led opposition to the proposals at Westminster and kept up pressure on the London Labour Government to justify the proposals.
Commenting on the UK Government's decision to postpone their proposals, Eilidh Whiteford said:
"The Labour Government is quite simply wrong on this issue. The proposals to privatise bits of Royal Mail are both unworkable and unpopular. This is plain for all to see with the massive opposition it has stirred up.
"This climb down will be welcomed by both Royal Mail employees and the many service users all across the North-east.
"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.
"The proposal may be in the long-grass but it is still lurking around. The UK Government should dump this unwanted privatisation completely and concentrate on a positive agenda for our postal services."
