Royal Mail: No plan B, says Mandelson

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2009/0 ... mandelson/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

by René Lavanchy

THERE is no alternative to part-privatising Royal Mail if its pension fund and the universal postal service is to be protected, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson told peers debating the Government’s postal services bill this week.

The warning came as Labour peer Lord Clarke dropped his attempt to kill the bill in the Lords, in the face of Conservative and Liberal Democrat oppposition.

But while Lord Mandelson attacked the Communication Workers’ Union for their “propaganda” over the part-sale, peers asked to know why the bill does not contain details of how much of Royal Mail a private partner will own, or how much say it will have in managing the company.

Lord Mandelson said: “I have not heard a single plan B or alternative proposal that would enable us to turn around the finances of the Royal Mail, transform the business, and sustain the universal service organisation from anyone who has opposed the bill”.

Responding to the CWU’s “Keep the Post Public” campaign, he said: “There is no question that either the Post Office or Royal Mail will be under the control of ‘foreigners’ or anyone else other than the Government, as the CWU’s propaganda claims.” He repeated that a stake of about 30 per cent would be sold.

Lord Clarke responded: “If someone comes along with a big chunk of money, will they sit passively in a boardroom?” Tory peer Lord Hunt supported the bill, but asked where the “arbitrary-sounding” 30 per cent figure came from.

The Government’s bill allows ministers to sell any stake in Royal Mail short of half of the company, and does not make any provision for management responsibilities.

[andy2007]

So let me get this strait: Because he's not willing to consider a plan 'B', he's digging in his anker, for plan 'W'?

[DGP1]

So let me get this strait: Because he's not willing to consider a plan 'B', he's digging in his anker, for plan 'W'?

I see what you did there

[BELIAL]

Course there's no plan B ,think blind trust

[banner18]

I wonder how many shares in TNT old mandy has got? Lucky for him that he can keep his finances secret.

[k979aaa]

Mandy no plan B is this triple AAA rated or should we get the censors on it!. It is already horrific in it's nature and savagery upon it's attack on the working man and all who support him and can only result in £5 stamps and pay as you receive as no one will pay that price up front will they!. We had the penny black now we have the BLACK HAND :mfo he will go down in infamy as the man who destroyed the postal service.