MAIL PRIVATISATION PLANS THREAT TO SCOTTISH SERVICES

Attn: NEWS DESKS


POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS



BETRAYAL WILL HAUNT TORIES AND LIBDEMS AT HOLYROOD



The passing of Royal Mail privatisation plans today (Wednesday) have been condemned by the SNP who warned that delivery services as well as the future local post office branches were under threat.



SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP rounded on Tory and Lib Dem MPs who voted for privatisation of Royal Mail, and vowed to make the future of the postal network a key campaign issue in the coming Scottish Parliament elections.


Mr Weir said:


“This is the wrong decision at the worst possible time, and will put delivery services as well as the future of local post office branches under threat. This is yet another betrayal by Lib Dem MPs which will haunt them at the Holyrood elections.


“Privatisation not only threatens the future of deliveries, jobs and services but also the sustainability of the post office network which has already seen closures under the last Labour government.



“It is inevitable that the pressures from a fully privatised Royal Mail – operated for profit and not public service - will lead to a reduction in the universal service obligation. The impact of cuts will be worst felt by rural communities which have already endured the closure of local amenities.



“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".



“Royal Mail should be seen as part of our national infrastructure and should be kept in public ownership. 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.”


“The Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats have all turned their back on Scotland’s postal services. Only the SNP will continue to stand up for them through the painful road to privatisation and the future of postal services will be a key campaign in the coming Holyrood elections.”


ENDS