Welwyn Hatfield MP left out in the cold by Royal Mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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By Simon Wesson, Reporter
Sunday, 7 November, 2010
10:30 AM

MP Grant Shapps was forced to hold a meeting with WGC Royal Mail sorting office staff OUTSIDE this week after bosses refused him entrance.


MP Grant Shapps and Lee Barnes

Already more than 4,000 people have signed a petition to keep the Broadwater Road site open after news that Royal Mail is considering merging the delivery offices in WGC and Hitchin into one Mail Processing Unit in Stevenage.

It would see 103 WGC posties having to travel to Stevenage to collect their packages and then travel back down the A1(M) – equalling at least an extra 30 vans on the motorway.

However, as the Welwyn Hatfield MP went to give them his backing this week – to explain how his fight has been going and to hear staff’s views – management told him the meeting was “not appropriate” and he would not be allowed in.

In a letter sent to the local government minister he was told he would have to go through “official channels” for it to take place inside. The “enraged” MP re-organised an unofficial meeting to go ahead outside the offices on Friday.


MP Grant Shapps and Lee Barnes

There the housing minister told staff members: “This is a really important site. It is critical for businesses, the residents and many others around this area.”

He added: “The mail going further away than here doesn’t make any sense for me.

“So keep up the fight!

“Get everyone everywhere to sign the petition. I feel it is very important for Royal Mail to see how much of a local issue this is and the best way to do that is to get as much publicity as you can, through sources like the WHT.

“It has to be more than just me writing a letter, it has to become a real campaign.”

For a copy of the petition to sign, email saveyourpostoffice@live.co.uk

*■Workers and posties based at the sorting office will be in WGC town centre rallying residents for further support all day Saturday.

If you see them make sure to sign a petition.

[labbloke]

Two faced or what?

Grant Shapps MP, Welwyn Hatfield voted to prepare for and permit Royal Mail privatisation. The vote was also in favour of changing the rules relating to ownership of the Post Office and in favour of passing provisions modifying the regulation of postal services, particularly to protect the UK's universal postal service.

[belle smith]

Two faced or what?

Grant Shapps MP, Welwyn Hatfield voted to prepare for and permit Royal Mail privatisation. The vote was also in favour of changing the rules relating to ownership of the Post Office and in favour of passing provisions modifying the regulation of postal services, particularly to protect the UK's universal postal service.

He's in the goverment, on 'the payroll vote' voting against govermant plans means resigning from the goverment.

[not me]

Two faced or what?

Grant Shapps MP, Welwyn Hatfield voted to prepare for and permit Royal Mail privatisation. The vote was also in favour of changing the rules relating to ownership of the Post Office and in favour of passing provisions modifying the regulation of postal services, particularly to protect the UK's universal postal service.

He's in the goverment, on 'the payroll vote' voting against govermant plans means resigning from the goverment.

not quite
being in the cabinet falls under collective responsibility
whilst the whips and party leaders would say otherwise.you can choose not to toe the party line as an MP

[belle smith]

Two faced or what?

Grant Shapps MP, Welwyn Hatfield voted to prepare for and permit Royal Mail privatisation. The vote was also in favour of changing the rules relating to ownership of the Post Office and in favour of passing provisions modifying the regulation of postal services, particularly to protect the UK's universal postal service.

He's in the goverment, on 'the payroll vote' voting against govermant plans means resigning from the goverment.

not quite
being in the cabinet falls under collective responsibility
whilst the whips and party leaders would say otherwise.you can choose not to toe the party line as an MP

Yep collective responsability if you vote against the goverment you resign form the goverment, and remain an MP!