Margot James - I won't pressure Royal Mail over 'divisive' Brexit stamps
A campaign for a set of special Brexit stamps to mark the UK's exit from the European Union have been branded 'divisive' by a Black Country Tory MP.
Leading Brexiteers including Boris Johnson have urged the Royal Mail to release the commemorative stamps next year to mark the monumental moment in British history.
But Stourbridge MP Margot James, who has responsibility for the Post Office as part of her brief as the Small Business Minister, has refused to put pressure on the postal service.
Royal Mail bosses insist there will be no commemorative release when Britain leaves the bloc on March 29 nest year, as there was to mark entry into the European Economic Community in 1973.
Ms James said: “I don’t think it was such a divisive issue then. They have no plans to produce them and I am not going to interfere one way or another.”
A number of high profile Brexiteers have criticised the Royal Mail's decision.
Mr Johnson said: “Leaving the European Union will be a monumental moment in British history, so let’s deliver a commemorative stamp that shows the world we’ve got Brexit licked.”
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “We definitely need Brexit stamps to celebrate this joyous and momentous occasion – we will have one’s for Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding won’t we?
“We have commemorative stamps for national events and this is the biggest national event for decades. I know 17million people who will buy them.”
And former Brexit Minister David Jones said: "It is outrageous. This is a new and important chapter in the history of this country - and they have got a positive duty to mark it.
“If they can mark our accession to it then they should mark the country's liberation."
A Government spokesman said: “All commercial and operational matters, including stamp themes, of the Royal Mail are independent of the government.
“The Royal Mail has a well-established independent process for choosing stamp themes, including considering proposals from the public and organisations.
“Stamp themes are selected up to three years ahead to allow for the design process and production schedules.”
Lib Dems in the Black Country called on the Foreign Secretary to focus on his day job.
Spokeswoman Sarah Quarmby said: "It is quite sad that people are getting so worked up over stamps.
"You would think Boris would have something important to do , as he is Foreign Secretary, than trying to design a new stamp."
