'Keep the Queen's head on stamps'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpres ... 715834754A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A business minister is "extremely confident" the Queen's head would remain on postage stamps even if the Royal Mail was sold off to a foreign firm.

The Government is in talks with Buckingham Palace after it was discovered legislation paving the way for a sell-off failed explicitly to guarantee the practice.

But postal services minister Ed Davey - who discovered the loophole - said he was sure a solution would be found before the Bill finishes its passage through Parliament.

The Mail on Sunday suggested there was "anger" at the Palace over the omission and suggested it could try to delay the legislation until after the Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee - claims Mr Davey denied.

While the Bill contains a clause giving the Queen a veto over any use of her image on stamps or other products, it does not insist that her head be shown.

Mr Davey said he queried the lack of specific protection with officials months ago but was told it was not being sought by the Palace and that dropping the monarch's image would be "commercial suicide".

Unhappy with that answer, Mr Davey said, he initiated talks with the Palace - which were "positive and friendly" - to decide how to firm up the protection.

"Any company would be absolutely stark staring mad to decide not to have the Queen's head on its stamps," he said, pointing out that there was no such guarantee in the previous Labour government's draft Bill. "I was told we did not need it but I said several months ago I was not happy with that. I'm extremely confident that the Queen's head will remain on our stamps."

A Palace spokesman told the newspaper there were "no outstanding issues on the Bill from our side".

But shadow business secretary John Denham claimed the legislation was deliberately vague. "They are not leaving glaring loopholes like this for no reason. They think the fewer strings they attach, the more money they will get from a foreign buyer," he said.

[DirtyHarry]

I think that this time, after so many previous privatisations, the British people must accept that the nation's postal service will fall into the hands of a foreigner, just as most of our gas and electricity suppliers are now based abroad.
These foreign companies are currently in the process of trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of their British customers, who also happen to be burdened with the highest gas and electricity prices in Western Europe.

As a result of Great Britain being slavishly devoted to so-called "market forces", and the moronic pursuit of so-called "globalisation", a British postal system in the hands of a foreigner, is sure to become the most expensive to use in the whole of Western Europe, and even beyond.

The question of whether or not foreigners will want the head of a British queen on stamps they sell, is a laughable one.
Of course they won't.

[Lounge Lizard]

I think that this time, after so many previous privatisations, the British people must accept that the nation's postal service will fall into the hands of a foreigner, just as most of our gas and electricity suppliers are now based abroad.
These foreign companies are currently in the process of trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of their British customers, who also happen to be burdened with the highest gas and electricity prices in Western Europe.

As a result of Great Britain being slavishly devoted to so-called "market forces", and the moronic pursuit of so-called "globalisation", a British postal system in the hands of a foreigner, is sure to become the most expensive to use in the whole of Western Europe, and even beyond.

The question of whether or not foreigners will want the head of a British queen on stamps they sell, is a laughable one.
Of course they won't.

Of course they won't. - unless they can make money out of her.

[Peter Dow]

Condoleezza Rice's head on our stamps!

The Telegraph: Government admits Queen's head could be lost from stamps

[borders]

I think that this time, after so many previous privatisations, the British people must accept that the nation's postal service will fall into the hands of a foreigner, just as most of our gas and electricity suppliers are now based abroad.
These foreign companies are currently in the process of trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of their British customers, who also happen to be burdened with the highest gas and electricity prices in Western Europe.

As a result of Great Britain being slavishly devoted to so-called "market forces", and the moronic pursuit of so-called "globalisation", a British postal system in the hands of a foreigner, is sure to become the most expensive to use in the whole of Western Europe, and even beyond.

The question of whether or not foreigners will want the head of a British queen on stamps they sell, is a laughable one.
Of course they won't.

Spot on post, the elite of this country has for a long time now been trousering as much money as they possibly can , acting as the middleman and brokering these deals. this country is known as Treasure Island by these leeches and as they continue with their feeding frenzy , the compliant and docile British Public stand by and let them get on with it....

[dvbuk55]

I think that this time, after so many previous privatisations, the British people must accept that the nation's postal service will fall into the hands of a foreigner, just as most of our gas and electricity suppliers are now based abroad.
These foreign companies are currently in the process of trying to squeeze every last penny they can out of their British customers, who also happen to be burdened with the highest gas and electricity prices in Western Europe.

As a result of Great Britain being slavishly devoted to so-called "market forces", and the moronic pursuit of so-called "globalisation", a British postal system in the hands of a foreigner, is sure to become the most expensive to use in the whole of Western Europe, and even beyond.

The question of whether or not foreigners will want the head of a British queen on stamps they sell, is a laughable one.
Of course they won't.

Oh I don't know H I think your head would look quite fetching on a 46p stamp

[DirtyHarry]

I'll have you know I'm a Man's Man, dvbuk, errr, if you know what I mean.

[dvbuk55]

I'll have you know I'm a Man's Man, dvbuk, errr, if you know what I mean.

[barbario]

I don't really understand why the Government are so concerned about the Queens head on stamps. They won't rid of Royal Mail for as much money as possible,so why give a toss.

[barbario]

Sorry,that should read,want rid of Royal Mail. Been a long day.

[borders]

its a kind of comfort blanket for the public, everythings tickerty boo the queens head still there !!!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

SO if they remove the queens head from stamps how will they identify where the post came from. All other countries use names on their stamps whilst ours is internationally recognised by just the Queens head.

What are the options:

Great Britain: Well as that is only the main island of England, Scotland and Wales
United Kingdom: Probably the one they will use - however it would be inaccurate as the full legal title is "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
England/Northern Ireland/Scotland/Wales: More expensive overall.
British Isles: Cant use that because, despite Irish protestations, the country of also Eire falls within the legal description.

Any other suggestions.

[dvbuk55]

SO if they remove the queens head from stamps how will they identify where the post came from. All other countries use names on their stamps whilst ours is internationally recognised by just the Queens head.

What are the options:

Great Britain: Well as that is only the main island of England, Scotland and Wales
United Kingdom: Probably the one they will use - however it would be inaccurate as the full legal title is "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
England/Northern Ireland/Scotland/Wales: More expensive overall.
British Isles: Cant use that because, despite Irish protestations, the country of also Eire falls within the legal description.

Any other suggestions.

Well there is the three lions, a single lion, a union jack, the four emblems for the 4 nations, daffodil, rose, thistle and clover one in each corner or layered behind an image, a rampant rooster

[PostieWithTheMostie!]

I ain't a Royalist, so i can't wait til there's a good looking bird on these new stamps that i don't mind licking the back of their head.

[dvbuk55]

I ain't a Royalist, so i can't wait til there's a good looking bird on these new stamps that i don't mind licking the back of their head.

Just maybe they would reciprocate and lick your head