Billy Hayes, general secretary, spoke in the Prosperity and Work session on the opening day of Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

He said: “We know that the Liberals want to privatise Royal Mail, we know what the Tories would do to Royal Mail. When we look at our party we see the difference that a Labour government makes.

“We took it to Warwick and we got a commitment and that commitment has been honoured. We thank the government and the party for that.

“But we still have problems. There have been closures within POL. 2,500 counters have closed and there has been a lack of consultation.

“The process of consultation that we see within the party needs to be extended. Respect also has to be found in the workplace.

“The CWU is up for change, up for a successful and viable Royal Mail. We need that respect and consultation in the workplace too.”