Rebel MPs up pressure on Lord Mandelson over Royal Mail sellout

From The Sunday Times December 28, 2008
by Jonathan Oliver, Political Editor

Lord Mandelson is preparing to make concessions over the part-privatisation of Royal Mail after warnings that up to 100 Labour backbenchers will rebel against the government over its plans.

The business secretary is expected to offer a statutory guarantee that no more than about a third of the postal service will be sold to the private sector.

Labour rebels have been concerned that Mandelson’s plan, rushed out just before parliament’s Christmas break, is a “slippery slope” towards full-scale privatisation.

However, last night a senior government source said Mandelson was ready to give ground to the rebels: “The potential for rebellion is huge. There need to be clear reassurances that we have no intention of pushing further.”

Under Mandelson’s scheme, between 25% and 33% ( *For Now just watch this change when things are quieter) of the postal service will go to a foreign buyer. The government would take on responsibility for Royal Mail’s £7 billion pension deficit, making the business more attractive to a potential private investor.

Royal Mail stake to be sold to private foreign firm in £3bn deal

Extracts from BBC NEWS Friday, 18 February, 2005, 00:01 GMT

also see (SEE 16 December 2008)

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Royal Mail loses postal monopoly

The Royal Mail’s 350-year monopoly is to end at the start of 2006, 15 months earlier than previously planned.

The UK’s postal service market will be fully liberalised from 1 January 2006, regulator Postcomm announced, following three months of consultation.

From that date, any licensed operator will be able to deliver mail to business and residential customers.
Royal Mail, which controls 99% of the market, welcomed the news but the main postal union said it was “ill-advised”.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) warned the decision will place “the country’s cherished universal service in jeopardy”.

The CWU also criticised what it said was a “competition at all costs” ethos which it says will put the Post Office at a serious competitive disadvantage to its European rivals.

Labour party reneged on its commitment to a referendum

Constituency referendum results 88% want a referendum

Despite headlines like the above Brown still refused the British Citizens the right to vote on this important issue – even though the promises was part of the labour parties election manifesto – again a clear lie from our leaders………..

Waging war against plastic bags

EVEN the Prime Minister has a view on a tax or ban on plastic shopping bags. And even more stores begin charging for them.

My simple answer is make the manufacturers build in a shelf life of 12 Months after which the bag starts to disintegrate – or is this TO SIMPLE.