Keep The Post Public National Tour: North West Region Day 5

Carlisle

The journey to Carlisle was slightly worrying the weather had again turned for the worse and it was raining ‘cats & dogs’. We finally arrive in Carlisle and thank the Gods that the rain has stopped. Lenny had got permission for us to park our vehicle and set up the stall in the main precinct, next to the Tourist Information centre and an antique post box, another great spot.

Dean and Paul CA Area Representatives along with some members, including retired members, arrive to help us set up shop leaving - you guessed it - Lenny to pump up the post box. Lenny gets permission to tie the post box to the railings outside the Tourist Information centre. In the meantime we have put up the tables, laid out the petitions and leaflets and we are ready to ‘Rock & Roll’.

The public were a little cautious at first; they properly thought we were trying to sell insurance or credit cards? Once they realised what we were about they come flooding to our stand, eager to complete postcards addressed their MP Eric Martlew who is supporting privatisation.

The local CWU reps have met with Eric on a number of occasions and we are still unsure why he supports selling Royal Mail to a foreign competitor (don’t think he knows himself). When we told the local populace (even Labour voters) they were not surprised, and this is a man who likes to describe himself as a socialist. Maybe like Mandleson it’s time to revaluate your core beliefs, Eric.

The local newspaper that did a supportive piece the day before sent a reporter and a photographer to interview us all, plus Paul and I did radio interviews to highlight our ongoing campaign on the back of the tour.

What was pleasing was how many retired postal workers turned out to offer their support and take some of our material to distribute.

Again we could have stayed in Carlisle all day but we had a date with Lancashire’s capital: Lancaster.

Lancaster

We head off down the M6 to meet up with Neil the local CWU Rep who has organised this afternoon’s event. We will be setting up shop in a square where I spent many a happy weekend with my branch during the ‘Stand By Your Post’ campaign. Neil was supported by Geoff, a CWU member and experienced campaigner, who played a vital role in the ‘Stand By Your Post’ campaign in Lancaster.

We arrive at the local delivery office to meet up with Neil and Theresa Griffin, a Labour Party Euro candidate who has been ultra supportive of our campaign from the very beginning. Theresa was accompanied by Dave Trafford, a UNITE Official.

NW Labour MEPs and candidates have openly opposed the government’s decision to privatise Royal Mail. Brian Simpson MEP with the support of the CWU has campaigned over the years against the threat of postal liberalisation in Europe. It is important that these people are elected in June.

Like a well oiled machine Len and I have the post box and table set up in no time at all. Again attracting supportive crowds all amazed at the government’s proposal to auction off part of Royal Mail.

Everything is going swimmingly then once again the weather takes a turn for the worse, what a week, this time it’s raining ‘cats, dogs, rabbits, tortoises and guinea pigs’. Time for the large umbrellas purchased in Manchester.

Theresa, Dave, Neil and Geoff are true stars and just carried on collecting signatures and handing out leaflets. Finally even we had to admit defeat.

The vast majority of the public had done the sensible thing and run for cover leaving us with teenagers just wanting to use our balloons for water bombs.

We say our goodbyes and me and Len start planning for tomorrow’s final event in the North West in my home town of Blackpool.

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