CAMPAIGNERS against the Government s plans to part privatise the Royal Mail are giving Comet country residents the chance to have their say. Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will be in Stevenage town centre tomorrow (Saturday), asking peop

CAMPAIGNERS against the Government's plans to part privatise the Royal Mail are giving Comet country residents the chance to have their say.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will be in Stevenage town centre tomorrow (Saturday), asking people to register their opposition to the Government's plans to sell off 30 per cent of Royal Mail to a foreign postal administration.

Steve Butts, a spokesman for the CWU, said: "A recent poll has indicated that 80 per cent of the public are against this plan.

"Currently over 140 MPs have signed a motion that opposes the Government plan. "Interestingly, Barbara Follett, MP for Stevenage, is not one of them, even though it is part of the Labour Party manifesto that Royal Mail should remain a wholly publically-owned organisation - a pledge on which this Government was elected."

Mrs Follett said: "Royal Mail is faced with very real problems that threaten its existence and the service it provides. That is why the Government is committed to acting now to ensure it can provide a world class service for years to come.

"As Minister for Culture, the Creative Industries and Tourism and Minister for the East of England, I cannot sign the motion against them.

"That said, my position does allow me to raise this matter with my colleagues who are responsible and that is why I have already written to the Minister of State for Employment and Postal Affairs, Mr Pat McFadden MP, to tell him about the concerns my constituents have."

The union's stall will be set up outside the former Woolworths store in Town Square from 10am until 4pm.