Ian Murray MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, responding to Vince Cable’s confirmation that the government does not plan to sell remaining stake in Royal Mail before May 2015, said:

“Given the catastrophic fire sale of Royal Mail, Vince Cable’s announcement will not come as a surprise to anyone and simply reflects what the Government has already said to the BIS select committee last month.

“The priority of the next Labour government will be safeguarding vital postal services. We will retain the public’s stake in Royal Mail, alongside securing the Universal Service Obligation after its expiry in 2021, ensuring that Royal Mail services continue to be available through the Post Office network and that all postal service operators are subject to high performance and service quality standards.

“Vince Cable is trying to play catch up with Labour’s plans, but having flogged off Royal Mail, leaving taxpayers short-changed and services at risk, he isn’t fooling anyone in his attempt to pose as a defender of postal services and this is too little, too late.”

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