To mark National Postal Workers Day yesterday, Matt Rodda MP praised the posties serving his constituency, Reading East, but criticised the Tories for overseeing a strategy of managed decline of the Post Office network and their deeply flawed decision to privatise the Royal Mail, the effects of which are being felt today.
Matt said, “December 10th is one of the busiest days in the calendars for our postal workers. I thank our posties in Reading and Woodley for their hard work and determination as they collect, sort and deliver an enormous number of letters and parcels over the Christmas period.’’
‘’Since 2010, the government have pursued a strategy of managed decline of our Post Office Network and have overseen one of the biggest policy failures in selling off the Royal Mail at below market price.”
“As a result, we have seen Crown Post Offices closures across the country, with a further 74 closures announced in October, including in Caversham and Reading town centre. Meanwhile over £700m has been paid out to private shareholders by the Royal Mail over the past five years. This has led to worsening cuts on the ground.”
“The next Labour Government will halt any further Post Office closures and will renationalise the Royal Mail so that any profits are reinvested back into the company to the benefit of its workers and consumers, not private shareholders.’’