A Western Isles Councillor has made a plea for MPs to unite behind a campaign to stop communities in the Highlands and Islands paying more for parcel deliveries and to protect the Universal Service Obligation which guarantees that customers in all parts of the UK pay the same rate for mail deliveries.

 Cllr Donald John MacSween has written to Inverness LibDem MP Danny Alexander who has put down an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons on the subject. Cllr MacSween welcomes the move but has called for a Private Members Bill to “protect the Universal Service Obligation to ensure that people in rural areas do not have to pay excessive amounts to send and receive post. In addition the Bill could specify that surcharges on parcel and other deliveries be prohibited and must conform to a standard UK rate.”

 Royal Mail has made an application to charge different prices for business mail depending on where in the UK their mail is delivered, a move which opponents fear could pave the way for the removal of the Universal Service Obligation.

 Mr MacSween said: “I wish Danny Alexander success in the campaign to protect the rights of those living in the Highlands and Islands and hope that other MPs will join in the fight for equality for all in the UK, irrespective of where you live”.