For Immediate Release – Friday 15 October 2010
Attn: NEWS DESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
Attn: NEWS DESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
SNP conference today (Friday) unanimously passed a topical resolution condemning moves by the Tory/LibDem government to privatise Royal Mail, warning that the move would threaten jobs and deliveries.
Commenting, the SNP's Westminster Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP said:
“Royal Mail is a vital public service and the maintenance of the Universal Service Obligation is essential for communities and small businesses throughout Scotland. Many small businesses rely on Royal Mail and any threat to it could be disastrous at a time of recession when it is essential to support small local businesses.
“It is now clear how far the Tories and Liberal Democrats are prepared to go, with no upper limit on how much of the business can be sold-off. Even Labour’s Lord Mandelson offered to insert a legislative guarantee that only 33% could be privatised.
“If the company is sold off it is inconceivable that there will not be increased pressure on the Universal Service Obligation. Vince Cable has already indicated that he is prepared to reduce the six day a week service.
“The maintenance of a comprehensive mail delivery service is essential for Scotland and that could best be achieved by keeping the company in public ownership. We have already seen the chaos that has overtaken the Post Office network by the rush to "liberalisation".
“A similar situation could devastate mail delivery services. The report recommending part privatisation also suggests that local sorting centres could be closed.”
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Dave Thomson, who seconded the resolution, said:
"It is clear that Royal Mail requires investment, but that should be public investment for the future and to ensure a Universal Service.
“The Liberal Democrats and Tories privatisation plan is an outrageous stab in the back to rural communities across Scotland.
“Royal Mail cannot be viewed as just another company. It provides an essential public service, especially to smaller communities and small businesses who do not have access to alternative carriers.
“While LibDem MPs may have swapped concern for local business for ministerial limousines, the SNP remain committed to fighting for local services.”
ENDS
Note:
The text of the SNP resolution is detailed below:
ROYAL MAIL
Conference strongly opposes proposals by the Tory/LibDem coalition to privatise Royal Mail.
Conference notes with concern the prospect, raised by Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable, of a reduction in the number of days that mail is uplifted and delivered which is a direct attack on the principle of the universal service obligation.
Conference believes that Royal Mail cannot be viewed as just another company; it provides an essential public service, especially tosmaller communities and small businesses who do not have access to alternative services. At a time of economic turbulence it is absolutely crucial that businesses in rural areas have access to high quality mail services.
Conference believes that Royal Mail should remain in public ownership as the only way to defend the universal service obligation.
Commenting, the SNP's Westminster Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP said:
“Royal Mail is a vital public service and the maintenance of the Universal Service Obligation is essential for communities and small businesses throughout Scotland. Many small businesses rely on Royal Mail and any threat to it could be disastrous at a time of recession when it is essential to support small local businesses.
“It is now clear how far the Tories and Liberal Democrats are prepared to go, with no upper limit on how much of the business can be sold-off. Even Labour’s Lord Mandelson offered to insert a legislative guarantee that only 33% could be privatised.
“If the company is sold off it is inconceivable that there will not be increased pressure on the Universal Service Obligation. Vince Cable has already indicated that he is prepared to reduce the six day a week service.
“The maintenance of a comprehensive mail delivery service is essential for Scotland and that could best be achieved by keeping the company in public ownership. We have already seen the chaos that has overtaken the Post Office network by the rush to "liberalisation".
“A similar situation could devastate mail delivery services. The report recommending part privatisation also suggests that local sorting centres could be closed.”
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Dave Thomson, who seconded the resolution, said:
"It is clear that Royal Mail requires investment, but that should be public investment for the future and to ensure a Universal Service.
“The Liberal Democrats and Tories privatisation plan is an outrageous stab in the back to rural communities across Scotland.
“Royal Mail cannot be viewed as just another company. It provides an essential public service, especially to smaller communities and small businesses who do not have access to alternative carriers.
“While LibDem MPs may have swapped concern for local business for ministerial limousines, the SNP remain committed to fighting for local services.”
ENDS
Note:
The text of the SNP resolution is detailed below:
ROYAL MAIL
Conference strongly opposes proposals by the Tory/LibDem coalition to privatise Royal Mail.
Conference notes with concern the prospect, raised by Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable, of a reduction in the number of days that mail is uplifted and delivered which is a direct attack on the principle of the universal service obligation.
Conference believes that Royal Mail cannot be viewed as just another company; it provides an essential public service, especially tosmaller communities and small businesses who do not have access to alternative services. At a time of economic turbulence it is absolutely crucial that businesses in rural areas have access to high quality mail services.
Conference believes that Royal Mail should remain in public ownership as the only way to defend the universal service obligation.
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