Posties unite on minister's doorstep

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Postal workers from as far away as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Wales, London and Cornwall marched through Bilston today in protest at the Government’s plan to sell off part of the Post Office.

Motorists sounded their horns in support as around 1,000 demonstrators taking part in the national rally, in postal services minister Pat McFadden’s constituency, chanted: “Royal Mail – not for sale.”

Up to 16,000 of the 160,000 workers face redundancy in a bid to save £470 million.

Joining the march were several councillors, including East Park’s Councillor Keith Inston, who is Mr McFadden’s agent in Wolverhampton South-East, and Councillor Phil Page, for Bilston North, who said: “If we can give millions of pounds to the bankers, we should be able to support postal workers.” Councillor John Rowley added: “The fact Pat McFadden is not here is a disgrace. He should be defending his position – his excuse for not attending is feeble.”

The MP said he was taking his pregnant partner to hospital today for a scan. But in a statement he said: “With falling mail volumes and a rising pension deficit, Royal Mail is facing a serious situation and has to change.

“If we don’t act, the universal service is under threat and Royal Mail is unlikely to have enough cash to meet its pension obligations.”

Resident Bernadette Johnson, aged 51, of Broad Street, Bilston, was cheering on the marchers.

“I’m totally against selling off the Post Office,” she said.

Also marching were Wolverhampton Labour councillors Steve and Val Evans, Susan Constable and Stephen Simpkin.