LOCAL MPS FIGHT FOR FORD PLANT'S FUTURE

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 8th Oct 2008

Three South Hampshire MPs have joined forces in a cross-party fight to secure a better future for the Ford Motor Company Transit plant at Swaythling.

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne, Romsey MP Sandra Gidley and Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead have tabled a parliamentary motion calling on Ford management to reconsider their plans and on ministers to discuss support.

The three MPs, all of whom have constituents who work at the 1250-employee factory on the border of Southampton and Eastleigh, want to get MPs representing the many plants that send supplies to Swaythling to sign up as well.

"This motion should attract support from a much wider area than just South Hampshire" said Chris Huhne. "There are many, many MPs across the country who have local plants that make components used in the Transit production process and I am writing to them to ask them to show their support.

"Our objective is very clear: we want to highlight to Ford management the degree of political support for the loyal and hard-working employees at Swaythling and we want to hold ministers to their commitment to discuss legitimate support with the workforce and the unions" said Mr Huhne.

The full text of the early day motion is as follows:

"That this House notes with concern the proposed downsizing of the Ford Motor Company's Southampton plant when a new model is introduced to replace the existing Transit; urges Ford to reconsider this decision in the light of the impact that this would have upon jobs in the "Home of the Transit", more widely in the travel to work area, and on the many component suppliers of the plant across the country; urges senior management to reconsider its plans in the light of the sharp fall in the pound over the period since they were formulated and in the light of the leading contribution that vehicle manufacture makes in maintaining the skilled engineering base of the nation, and welcomes statements by ministers that they would be willing to meet Ford Motor Company to discuss legitimate assistance in ensuring the competitiveness of the plant".