MP's dismay at headless net stamps

22 September 2006

Stamp durty: MP Andrew Rosindell stands by Queen and country as he shows off part of his traditional stamp collection in spite of new headless Internet versions

Royal Mail's decision to axe the Queen's head from its internet stamps has angered Romford's patriotic MP Andrew Rosindell.

From this week customers can download special barcoded-stamps from the internet that do not bear the Queen's head.

It ends a 160-year-long tradition. The world's first stamp, the Penny Black, was issued on May 6, 1840 and featured the head of a young Queen Victoria.

Royal Mail's decision has raised eyebrows among traditionalists, who see the action as the latest in a bid to disassociate the monarchy from everyday life.

Mr Rosindell, a staunch royalist and keen stamp collector, opposed the idea when it was first mooted in Parliament 18 months ago and claimed the company is trying to shake off its links to Queen and country.

Read more on this story in this week's Recorder - out now.