Was just thinking about all of you waiting on things through the post. Other than physical items I've bought online (which are rarely time-essential although they sometimes are I guess), I really don't need to wait for stuff in the post.
My bills are paid direct debit or online, I converse with friends and family by email, I renew my tax disc online so even if it isn't posted promptly I've kept the right side of the Fecking Treasury cos they've got my money.
I don't even go to the post office to buy Special Delivery, I get it online then print the labels and drop the parcel at our Sorting Office which happily relocated just round the corner from me!
The usage of and need for Postal Services is very, very different today to what it was maybe 10 years ago. Perhaps if RM had joined the Broadband Revolution as a supplier instead of gazing at their boots for a few years, they'd be less worried about the current state of affairs...which, helpfully, the Government is trying to "fix" in their predictable way by selling off to private sector or introducing "competition". And to lose the Amazon shipping contract is a great example of the RM's ineptitude.
I had relatives in the postal service, so I am tugged by some sympathy...but I also had a big argument with the father-in-law at the weekend to the effect that the Unions just jumped in with their usual line and seemed unable to look at the simple reality of the jobs that need doing, for what rate of pay and under what (generally realistic) conditions. I'm sure he wandered off muttering "capitalist blairite" under his breath but I'll never know
Campbell