Royal Mail accused of 'bias against Brexit' over decision not to print special stamps
2 min read
Royal Mail has triggered a major row between the two sides of the EU debate after it decided not to print a special set of stamps to celebrate Brexit.
Anti-EU campaigners slammed the “outrageous” decision while Remain supporters said the date Britain quits the bloc will be “a day of mourning, not celebration”.
Royal Mail often prints stamps to mark historic moments - including a set when Britain first joined the European Economic Community in 1973.
But it said at the weekend the Brexit date of 29 March 2019 will not be honoured in the same way.
“Royal Mail does not intend to issue a stamp to mark the UK's exit from the EU,” a spokesperson said.
One Cabinet minister told the Daily Telegraph: "This feels premature and is surely worth further consideration. Important moments in our nation’s history have been noted by the Royal Mail.
"Why should our departure from the EU be any exception?"
Former Brexit minister David Jones said Royal Mail had an “absolute obligation to recognise a new chapter in the history of this country” and vowed to complain to ministers.
Business Select Committee member Ian Liddell-Grainger said he would quiz Royal Mail bosses about the decision when they face MPs next year.
And prominent Eurosceptic Peter Bone said Royal Mail was showing “bias against Brexit” because it is “part of the establishment”.
But the pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain said: “Brexit day will be a day of mourning, not celebration for millions of people who believe that Britain should lead, not leave Europe.
"We are pulling away from our friends and allies in deeply uncertain world. Brexit Day won't be confirmed until parliament has agreed, so the Royal Mail is right not to waste its money.
"We might need stamps to commemorate the revival of common sense."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
