Royal Mail Sell-off Goes Ahead Despite Labour Rebellion

The Business Secretary will publish the legislation which will pave the way for a stake in the Royal Mail to be sold to a private postal firm. The favourite to buy into the postal service is the Dutch company TNT.

The Daily Telegraph disclosed in December that the Government would for the first time allow an outside firm to invest in Royal Mail. That sparked a wave of fury from many Labour MPs who argue that it would threaten the "universal" nature of the postal service.

More than 120 MPs have signed a Commons motion opposing the plans. Nick Brown, the Chief Whip, has warned Gordon Brown that he will face problems getting the Bill passed without support from the Conservatives, who back the plans.

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Ofcom Chairman Joining Board of Royal Mail is 'Beyond Belief'

Critics said the appointment, which was approved by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, looked like "jobs for the boys" and raised questions over Ofcom's ability to regulate the company effectively for taxpayers.
Part of Ofcom's role will be to agree with Royal Mail the price of stamps. They are due to increase by 3p or double the rate of inflation this year.
Lord Currie, Ofcom's chairman, has joined the board of the postal organisation on a salary of £30,000 a year.

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More snouts at the trough! And of course mandelson is involved yet again!

One Hundred MPs to Rebel Over Sale of Royal Mail

More than 100 Labour MPs are ready to defy the Government and join a guerrilla campaign against moves to sell off a stake in Royal Mail.
The backlash against the part-privatisation – with plans being drawn up for protests around the country – threatens to present Gordon Brown with his biggest rebellion of 2009.

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Mandelson Eyes Royal Mail Sell Off

The first steps towards the privatisation of Royal Mail will be unveiled this week as ministers prepare to remove the biggest obstacle to its break-up.
Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, is expected to announce that the government is ready to take on the organisation’s ailing pension fund, paving the way for radical reforms to the postal service.

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