Speech by Billy on RM renationalisation at Lab Conf 2013

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Contemporary motion on Royal Mail renationalisation at Labour Party Conference 2013

http://www.cwu.org/billy-hayes/?p=944" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chair, Conference, Billy Hayes on behalf of the CWU and we believe the British people, to move composite 8.

In moving this composite I want to thank all those Constituency Labour Parties who submitted a contemporary motion on Royal Mail to conference – 46 in total.

And thanks to the Unions and CLPs who choose to prioritise this important subject. The party under Ed Miliband has been firmly against privatisation.

This was true of his initial team, John Denham and Nia Griffiths. It is equally true Chuka Umunna and Ian Murray who are firmly against the sale of Royal Mail.

Opposition to privatisation crosses a wide spectrum of opinion. It includes organisations like the Countryside Alliance and the Bow Group of Conservatives.

The most recent opinion poll indicates 70% of British public opposing – including majorities amongst Tory and Lib Dem voters.

Privatisation will mean higher prices, this will undermine our One Nation Postal Service.

We can see the future of a privatised Royal Mail in Holland where TNT is lobbying for just three days of deliveries a week.

But Conference, we do not look at our Postal Service as some kind of sepia photograph or a Hovis TV commercial.

Royal Mail is a company that has a £9 billion annual turnover.

Campaign Weekly described the Royal Mail £403 million profit as the statistics of the week when it was announced.

The modernisation has been delivered on the quite literally on the back of postal workers.

It hasn't been easy – but it has been necessary.

The pension fund deficit has been dealt with by Government.

Job losses and closures have been painful.

The workers and their efforts now see their commitment being taken away by people who see nothing but rich pickings.

A reach from Brighton to Belfast.

Royal Mail today offers an excellent example of “one nation” politics.

Whether you live in St Ives or Inverness, you’re able to post a letter to anywhere in the country for the same tariff.

You can be certain there will be a daily collection. And you know there are common delivery standards across the country.

We say that the next Labour Government should re-nationalise Royal Mail, if the Coalition get away with selling it.

If this falls into the hands of a private company, there will be an increase in prices for all companies, small businesses and consumers using this network.

Keeping our postal service public will make a major contribution to avoiding further rises in our already inflated cost of living.

The Coalition Government is already offering bribes to private investors with the promise of a dividend of £400 million in the first 2 years.

A Labour Government could pay off any repurchase price with a few years profit from Royal Mail – a fact that could be demonstrated by any independent enquiry.

Management are currently suggesting it can double its profits within a few years. That should be used for public good – not private gain.

Royal Mail is a one nation institution – a service rooted in every community in the country.

That’s why it’s well placed to deliver to every one of the British 29 million addresses everyone in this hall has a post woman or man – our people see more citizens of this country in a day than some politicians do in a year.

In three years time Royal Mail will be 500 years old – when the 2015 Labour Government enters office.

Let’s make sure it will be a publicly-owned successful Royal Mail Birthday.

I move…

[clashcityrocker]

The modernisation has been delivered quite literally on the backs of postmen

Nice soundbite Billy, but some of us are actually using the trolleys we were issued.

[RTP]

Can someone tell me what if anything happens now with this motion?

Is there a vote on it within the labour party or does it just get swept under the carpet by Ed?

[pants123]

Management are currently suggesting it can double its profits within a few years. That should be used for public good – not private gain.

ye, by screwing the work force over... until they drop....

and probably not paying wages any more... management are bad people..

[RTP]

Can someone tell me what if anything happens now with this motion?

Is there a vote on it within the labour party or does it just get swept under the carpet by Ed?

It's ok I found the answer http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 38&t=55769" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Nice one