Squandered billions (Neill Hall)

I recall a few years ago when our local posties, including myself, took part in a series of national one-day strikes against redundancies, depot closures and the threat of privatisation.

One day we were pleased to attract interest from our MP and MSP who visited the Lerwick sorting office for an informal chat with us.

We were even more pleased when they gave us an impression of being sympathetic and appeared to be concerned about the future mail delivery service in Shetland. I was so pleased that I voted for Alistair Carmichael at the last election.

Fast forward to 2014 when we find out that the coalition government has squandered billions of public money in a botched privatisation sell-off. People in Shetland are complaining about being ripped off in parcel charges through various companies but it will be even worse in future once good old “Royal Mail” has to satisfy its new investors.

What about the money the new owners can make selling Royal Mail property on some very desirable sites. There is already talk of the Mount Pleasant sorting office being developed into 700 flats which will be worth a fortune in central London.

Our MP recently had promotion to Secretary of State for Scotland and spin doctor for the Better Together campaign. It would seem he is trying to enjoy his career before the Liberal Party implodes at the next Westminster election.

Now when he talks about the “yes” campaign and its lack of financial clarity, stability and plan B, etc, I think back a few short years and wonder what financial planning had a successfull outcome for this Westminster government.

Then I ask myself if I should vote for the uncertainty of change or the uncertainty of the same.

Neill Hall
16 Longland
Lerwick.