Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has today launched a campaign to protect local Post Offices in the face of the Conservative-led Coalition’s plans to fully privatise the Royal Mail.

Catherine has written to every SubPostmaster in her constituency asking them to make copies of a petition available to their customers, which asks the Government to think again on its plans. She will then formally present her petition to the House of Commons on behalf of her constituents.

Catherine said:

“I am concerned that the Coalition’s Postal Services Bill could spell the end of Post Offices in my constituency. In rushing through the privatisation of Royal Mail, the Government is giving no safeguards for our Post Office network. This is very worrying as I know how highly my constituents value the community service offered by their local Post Office.

“In future a privatised Royal Mail could end its historic link with the Post Office network and look to cut costs by withdrawing mail services from all but the busiest Post Offices, leaving people in suburban areas and villages with miles to go to post a parcel or receive over the counter services. This could be very bad news for constituencies like Newcastle North.

“Despite repeated calls from Labour MPs and the National Federation of SubPostmasters, the Government is refusing to guarantee Royal Mail business to local Post Offices. It is also refusing to specify a minimum number of outlets where people can post parcels and send letters by registered delivery, as other countries – like Germany – do.

“I would strongly urge all of my constituents to sign my petition at their local Post Office branch – the more signatures I have, the more chance I have of persuading the Government to think again.”

If you would like to sign Catherine’s petition, please e-mail her on [email protected]