Argyll’s MSP and Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather has fired a range-finding shot at Alan Reid MP, Argyll’s representative at Westminster. He has effectively challenged Mr Reid to come out and say exactly where he stands on the issue of the UK Government’s determination to part privatise the Post Office.

For Argyll has already reported on a significant contradiction in Mr Reid’s behaviour. He has been active in making supportive statements of Post Offices in the fastness of Argyll from where news of his words is unlikely to get back to Westminster. He has not, however, yet signed the Early Day Motion lodged at Westminster by Labour MP Geraldine Smith, opposing the planned privatisation.

Mr Mather now says: ‘I am surprised at the lack of public response from Labour and LibDem sources in Argyll & Bute to what is a genuine threat of privatisation to a vital public utility.

‘Some weeks ago there was a great deal of furore raised about legislative proposals to lease a part of the Forest Estate to private operators and the unions and political opponents were quick to suggest that this was some form of privatisation. We are in the process of arranging a local public meeting that will enable the very newly appointed Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, MSP,  to elaborate on what is proposed,  to rebut misrepresentations and to explain how the consultation process will contribute to the debate.

‘In the case of the Westminster Government’s plans for the privatisation of part of the Royal Mail business no such  debate is envisaged and there could be no mistaking the intentions of Lord Mandelson of Foy when he introduced the proposals in the House of Lords.

‘Far from any scrutiny from the elected chamber of the House of Commons far less a local public meeting, the stark facts were spelled out. The effect that this will have on rural mail services and the preservation of the Universal Service Obligation can all too easily be projected. We can be confident that the private operators will be much more interested in delivering mail to Derby than to Dervaig and to Colchester rather than Colonsay’.