Labour leads the protection of rural postal services in Europe.

Labour leads the protection of rural postal services in Europe.

Brian Simpson MEP, Transport Committee Spokesperson for the 217-strong Socialist Group in the European Parliament, led yesterday evening the Socialist transport delegation to an outright victory on the long-term protection of rural postal services both in Britain and Europe. Speaking after the evening vote in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament Mr. Simpson said: "As Labour spokesman I have tried to find the right balance between encouraging competition and efficiency in the sector while protecting our rural communities' right to a high quality postal service. Today's victory has proven that Labour's approach to the issue is the right one both for the UK and Europe". Since the publication of the European Commission proposal in October 2006 Mr. Simpson has been consistently warning fellow MEPs of its lack of detail in the issue of financing of universal service obligations and working conditions. On the outcome of the negotiated amendments with other political groups Mr. Simpson said: "I believe we have succeeded in keeping most of our original position. The need for nationally tailored plans on financing, designed by national governments taking into account their own countries geographical problems and the need to guarantee decent working conditions for postal workers, were important issues for the Labour team. Also ensuring an excellent quality of service at both rural and urban level throughout the whole of the country was included in the proposed legislation". On the upcoming vote in the Plenary Session next month Brian Simpson said: "I hope that the full house will support in July the decision taken by the Transport Committee so that British rural areas can fully benefit from both, the UK Government's decision to liberalise the sector and the EU's improvement of it by guaranteeing long term easy access to the postal network for all, independently of where they live and at a uniform tariff".