A TORY has urged the Government to work harder to safeguard jobs in Britain’s car industry – including Vauxhall Motors in Ellesmere Port.
Stuart Penketh, the borough’s prospective parliamentary candidate, spoke out following news that Nissan is to axe 1,200 jobs at its plant in Sunderland.
Mr Penketh said: “The car industry in Britain is the backbone of our heavy manufacturing industry and it is in serious trouble.
“Vauxhall workers here in Ellesmere Port are on 30% pay and are being forced to down tools for nine months, yet the Government, contrary to its announcements, is not doing anything to help.
“This Government, along with the banks, caused this recession to be deeper and harder on people than it would have been by borrowing too much. And as soon as there is a hint of trouble, the Government wades in to bail out these banks.”
He demanded the same help Labour gave to the banks for the UK’s “beleaguered” car firms.
Mr Penketh explained: “It is not fair when a whole industry – one that did not bring this recession about and is full of highly skilled people – can be ignored and left to wither and die on the scrap heap.
“This Government needs to help our car manufacturing industry and time is quickly running out.
“I urge Labour to step in now before the haunting epitaph ‘too late’ is used.”
