RURAL postal services are under threat from Government plans to privatise the Royal Mail, according to Stroud Labour Party.

The group is concerned that rural areas could lose post offices and villagers might end up having to collect their own post if the service is privatised.

"It’s not difficult to predict what will happen if Royal Mail is privatised," said David Drew, former MP and Labour’s parliamentary candidate.

"Delivery will be contracted out to the company offering the cheapest price and paying its workers the least money.

"The universal service will be eroded so individuals and businesses in rural areas will get a worse service and we will see more post offices closed.

"In many countries people in rural areas have to pick up their post from the nearest town and the countryside could end up very isolated.

"Labour believes public services are not businesses to be bought and sold for profits. They are public services that people need and rely on and that are part of our heritage."

Stroud Labour Party is working with the Communication Workers Union to support a nationwide campaign against privatisation called Save Our Royal Mail, which is also being backed by the SNJ.

A spokesman for the campaign said: "We are concerned that privatisation will herald large price rises which will be particularly harmful to small businesses and the elderly.

"The campaign is going extremely well and our petition has more than 120,000 signatures."

SNJ readers are encouraged to write to Stroud MP Neil Carmichael to ask him to vote against privatisation.

Postcards printed with Mr Carmichael's address and a message can be collected from the SNJ office in Lansdown, Stroud and also next door from the Labour Party office, which is open Monday to Saturday 10am to noon.

Speaking about the concerns to the SNJ this week, Mr Carmichael said: "During the last Labour Government, eight post offices in the Stroud district were closed. During the Conservatives none have been closed and none will be.

"We have already passed the Post Office Act which makes sure local post offices are supported.

"None are at threat in this constituency. They are thriving.

"I visit them regularly and support them all.

"Some have to change hands now and again though in Painswick for example."

For more information go to saveourroyalmail.orgTo sign the petition go to change.org/en-GB/campaigns/save-our-royal-mail