Local Labour MP Katy Clark has come out against a private sector partner such as TNT being brought in to help run the post office. The local MP was part of a delegation which met with the Business Secretary Peter Mandelson this week to express the scale of opposition to the proposal which formed part of the conclusions of the Hooper Review which was published earlier this week.

Katy Clark said "I cannot support a policy which is likely to end in a foreign company buying a large part of Royal Mail. These proposals will need legislation. If such an Act is passed I believe it paves the way for full privatisation. The Royal Mail needs investment but this is not the way to do it. We have a loyal hard working workforce in Royal Mail and over the next few weeks I will be doing what I can to make sure this proposal does not proceed as I do not think it is in the public interest."