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The Royal Mail protest picks up pace
The Labour protest over the Government's plan to allow foreign investors to take up a stake in Royal Mail has just been ramped up a notch by the resignation of Jim McGovern as PPS to Pat McFadden, Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs. All signs now are that this could turn into one of the biggest rebellions that Gordon Brown's faced during his premiership - and certainly something that could punctuate the general stream of positive coverage that's been flowing his way recently.
Given the quantity of foreign cash that's propping up the British economy - albeit mostly in sectors that don't have quite the same national-sentimental kudos as Royal Mail - one thing to look out for is whether this kind of thing dissuades foreign investment more generally. Another is how Peter Mandelson deals with the situation; the first major test of his resurrected ministerial career.
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Faceless Bureaucrat
December 17th, 2008 10:57amJim who? - no loss...
What will be interesting is whether DHL (or anyone else) will want a MINORITY stake in the Post Office, with the Government able to scupper any restructuring plans that they do not like. Wholesale sell-off and a complete restructure of their Pension terms and conditions is the only way forward for this wholly inefficient organisation.
FB
BrianSJ
December 17th, 2008 10:59amIt is also a question as to whether anyone in the media (yourselves included) point out that this is a Brussells directive that is forcing the change.
EU Satrapy
December 17th, 2008 11:17amThank you, BrianSJ.
It's delicious seeing all these Labour MPs who refused the people a vote on the Lisbon Treaty getting high and mighty about the effect of existing EU treaties on this province.
darren tingle
December 17th, 2008 11:48amFaceless Bureaucrat - what planet are you on? There posties are good people who deserve better. Remember the problems stem from Brussels. The french and germans haven't even taken any steps to introduce any competion
David
December 17th, 2008 12:03pm"this is a Brussells directive that is forcing the change"
Put forward, of course, by the market liberalisers, including the UK. We can't ask the EU to do something, then complain when they do.
David
December 17th, 2008 12:04pm"The french and germans haven't even taken any steps to introduce any competion"
The Germans certainly have. They are way ahead of us.
Don
December 17th, 2008 2:29pmFaceless, it is interesting to see that you have cut and pasted this comment like a virus across the political websites. Does this activity provide you with a second income?
liz Brown
December 17th, 2008 3:16pmDavid, I, and many others, didn't ask Europe to do anything - i haven't even been allowed to vote on whether we want further integration. Other European countries simply ignore those directives they don't like, or that they feel will bring no benefit and Britain upholds them with added bells and whistles with nay a thought to the consequences
seb
December 17th, 2008 7:40pmJim McFadden's resigned!?! 'This resignation crisis, which comes from America...'. You know the rest.
Faceless Bureaucrat
December 18th, 2008 2:51pmDon [2.29]
"Faceless, it is interesting to see that you have cut and pasted this comment like a virus across the political websites. Does this activity provide you with a second income?"
Oh come, come Don - only Iain Dale and Coffee House.
Besides, my comment, my choice, your problem...
Why not try something radical and comment on the post in question - a whole new world will open up before you.
And no, sadly no income derived - I did offer my services on a commission basis to Coffee House, but 'Sir' respectfully declined...
Merry Christmas.
FB