Why won’t leaving be marked with a stamp?
ROYAL Mail has been criticised for refusing to print a stamp for Brexit – despite marking almost every other pivotal event in modern British history.
It produced stamps in 1973 when the UK joined the European Economic Community, which later became the EU.
And, subsequently, it has managed to celebrate everything from the latest Star Wars film and, in 1989, the 150th anniversary of Royal Microscopical Society.
But the decision not to record the UK’s exit will disappoint those who voted in June last year to leave the EU in March 2019.
Former Brexit minister David Jones said the decision was ‘absolutely outrageous’ and insisted Royal Mail had a duty to mark Brit- ain’s ‘liberation’ from Brussels. Mr Jones, the Tory MP for Clwyd West, said he would complain to Business Secretary Greg Clark, who oversees Royal Mail, adding: ‘The Royal Mail has an absolute obligation to recognise a new chapter in the history of this country.
‘It was a sufficiently important issue to attract the votes of 17.2 million people – and as a matter of simple respect Royal Mail should be ensuring that the occasion is properly marked.
‘It is outrageous. This is a new and important chapter in the history of this country – and they have a positive duty to mark it.’
He told The Daily Telegraph: ‘If they can mark our accession to it, then they should mark the country’s liberation.’
Royal Mail marked Britain’s inclusion in the EEC with a stamp depicting a Union Jack jigsaw piece in a European puzzle.
It has also commemorated events such as the death of rock star David Bowie last year and a series of stamps in 2012 to celebrate the comic The Beano.
Ukip also criticised the decision, saying that Royal Mail ‘celebrates everything from Star Wars to The Beano but can’t be bothered to record the date of our departure from the EU’.
But those who opposed Britain leaving the EU backed the decision, saying Brexit was not be something to celebrate.
Eloise Todd, of Best For Britain, said: ‘The Royal Mail aren’t creating stamps because 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 a deeply uncertain world. Brexit Day won’t be confirmed until Parliament has agreed, so Royal Mail is right not to waste its money. We might need stamps to commemorate the revival of common sense.’
A Royal Mail spokesman said: ‘Royal Mail does not intend to issue a stamp to mark the UK’s exit from the EU.’