Postal privatisation will be 'deeply unpopular'

The SDLP MP has joined a number of fellow MPs in lobbying for Royal Mail to be modernised, not privatised.

Mr Durkan said: “I strongly oppose proposals put forward by the government to privatise Royal Mail.

“Like many other MPs, I want to see a publicly-owned Post Office in good health, providing customers with an excellent service and its employees with rewarding employment.

“That is why I fully support the modernisation plans agreed by management and unions, which are fully funded and require no extra financial investment from private companies.”

He pointed out that Royal Mail’s profits rose by 26 per cent to 404 million in 2010.

“Any decision to remove this organisation from public ownership would be deeply unpopular, not least with people in Derry,” he continued.

“I would also be concerned that the government’s proposals would result in increased prices for customers.

“I am therefore calling on the government to listen and respond to these wide-ranging concerns and re-examine their proposals to ensure that Royal Mail is modernised, not privatised, and remains a wholly publicly-owned organisation,” concluded the Foyle MP.