I had joined the SNP in 1991, after the Poll Tax, but as a socialist I was never comfortable there. The nearer we got to the 1997 elections, the more they shifted rightwards. Their policies on business tax and economics showed they were in the Tory groove. I think there s now no doubt whatsoever that the Post Office is being privatised by stealth. We now have the conditions of a privatised industry with attacks on pay and conditions.
Commercial freedom is about introducing competition.
The Post Office Regulator now has the power to grant licences to competitors. It s a major threat companies are gearing up to cream off the best bits of the industry. Edinburgh is the second biggest financial city in Europe, and much of the mail generated is easy mail easily handled and delivered. Labour will be desperate to avoid controversy just a few weeks before a general election. After that licences will be issued.