Lib Dem Conference votes for part-privatisation of the Royal Mail

5.02.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 4th Mar 2006

Sir Menzies Campbell has scored his first victory as Liberal Democrat leader after party members backed the part-privatisation of the Royal Mail. The controversial plan was rejected last year by delegates at the Party's Autumn conference in Blackpool. But Sir Menzies, who was elected leader on Thursday, urged party activists to back a revised version of the policy at its spring conference in Harrogate.

Sir Menzies claims the plan will raise £2bn to improve local post offices. He said: "Keeping 51% of Royal Mail in the hands of the government and of employees is in line with our long-held Liberal beliefs in employee share ownership. I believe this motion captures our ability to tackle difficult issues head-on, developing innovative liberal solutions to challenges, which the other two parties refuse to face."