Post Office sell-off widely opposed

Privatising the Post Office would be as unpopular as ever, according to a new opinion poll which showed a huge majority in favour of keeping the service public.

The MORI poll for the Communication Workers' Union found only 5 per cent of 2,000 people in favour of selling off the Post Office as a whole. Joint general secretary Derek Hodgson said: "It would be a perversion of democracy for any political party to push forward with proposals supported by such a tiny minority. The debate about the Post Office should finish here. The people's message is clear - hands off."

The union believes the poll shows that the future of the Post Office should be taken out of the political arena. The Tories have said they will consider different forms of privatising the Royal Mail if it wins the election and will sell off Parcelforce.