The Last Post?
This fine Victorian pillar box has stood sentinel on a quiet Edinburgh street for well over 120 years. Post boxes are ubiquitous across the towns and cities of the country, in the Highlands and the Islands, Dales and Valleys, from the Scillies to the Shetlands.
The post box is symbolic of many of the values that are part of what we do at Paper Tiger. A post box is a point of genuine connection. It represents the emotional value of giving and receiving. Most of us have run to catch the last collection of the day, or fretted for the first post delivery, bringing celebrations, arrivals, memories and sentiments. It's where you post the greetings cards that you buy in my shops.
The place that the the post box, the postie, the Royal Mail holds in the hearts of the nation is unique. Few industries have inspired so much poetry, literature, cinema and TV. From Postman Pat (and his black and white cat) to The Night Train (crossing the border), the post is always present.
I'm not pretending that it is as vital as it used to be. The numbers tell a story of changing technology, social behaviour a economic evolution. But the Royal Mail still carries billions of letters every year, and aside from the sentiments, those cards and letters represent billions upon billions of pounds of commercial activity.
The current review of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) is a consequence of a dozen years (and more) of misguided mismanagement. The roots of the crisis go deeper than the changes introduced by the coalition government back in 2012, but they have been the cause of the current situation. The management have been culpable, and so have the unions: industrial relations have blighted the service in recent years. The pricing structure is self destructive. The Royal Mail is about to fall into the private hands of a foreign owner. We face the prospect of higher prices and a reduced service for users and consumers alike.
Less for more.
Does this sound familiar? The story of privatisation of national utilities and essential services runs through my entire adult life. I have benefited from some of those changes, but I am also aware of the impact of private ownership on public services. Our water is full of shit. Electricity bills are through the roof. Telecoms is a racket. That Night Train? It is running late...the steel industry is rusting away...
...or was rusting away. Recent news has dominated by the government takeover of British Steel from Chinese ownership. The virility of the British state is at stake. Making high grade steel is a national security issue, and maintaining a national resource to do that is considered to be a government matter.
In my view there are striking parallels between these two industries. From the rails of national infrastructure, to the armaments that defend our national interests, steel is the skeleton that holds up the National Interest. The postal service is the sinews, connecting cities, people, businesses and government. Both are critical to the ongoing functioning of the economy. Government oversight exists for both of these sectors, and the government has now used that responsibility to intervene in the steel industry.
The USO is protected by law. Does the critical infrastructure of the state extend to retaining a nationwide postal service? This is the key question that the government should be addressing. This issue is beyond the scope of the current review, and frankly beyond the capability of OfCom. In my experience, OfCom are beholden to the Royal Mail and the new owners. They are supine in the face of change; unwilling to protect the USO and the rights of consumers and businesses to have a reliable postal service. That is why government intervention is now needed in the Royal Mail.
Government, local government, the NHS and a multitude of other state and non-state agencies should be able to deliver information, data, statutory and compliance notices to individuals and businesses? Is there any viable alternative?
I'm not saying we should renationalise the Royal Mail. But I'm am saying that we should be considering it as an option.
The Royal Mail provides a critical service for the whole country, for countless millions of people, and for innumerable businesses. It is an essential part of their daily life. It is an essential part of my business and my sector of the economy. I would urge you to think about how the loss of the Royal Mail will impact on your business and your life.
This petition is designed to bring the issues regarding the USO to Parliament.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701850
Please sign it today so that the challenges, and the threat to the Royal Mail is highlighted and debated at the highest level.