PREZZA ADDS VOICE TO POST OFFICE REVOLT

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/782 ... ice-revolt

LABOUR was facing a major split over its plans to sell off the Royal Mail last night after John Prescott joined a mounting rebellion within the parliamentary party.

Mr Prescott, a staunch party loyalist as Deputy Prime Minister, has indicated he will not support the controversial plans unveiled by Lord Mandelson last month.


In a surprise intervention, he said the Mail and Post Office should remain in public hands.


He suggested Royal Mail was being punished because of problems in the wider economy, adding: “Royal Mail and the Post Office face further difficulties, some due to the reluctance to meet the challenges of change. But they still benefit from remaining in the people’s hands.


“It wasn’t the Post Office, the Co-Op or the mutuals that had to be bailed out by the taxpayer to the tune of £37billion.


“It was the private banks who, thanks to their inherent greed and desire for excessive profits and bonuses, brought the world’s economy to its knees.”


Mr Prescott said the Government should look instead at plans being developed by parts of the Labour Left to turn the Post Office into a new “people’s bank”. For this to happen, it must stay publicly owned, he said.


Critics of the Government’s plans claim more than 100 Labour MPs are ready to rebel when the plan to sell 30 per cent of Royal Mail is brought to Parliament.


Such a revolt would force Gordon Brown to rely on Conservative support.


Ministers claim the sell-off will bring in cash to modernise the service. Dutch mail firm TNT is believed favourite to snap up a stake.