High Peak Liberal Democrats

Campaigning for Bombardier

Campaigners are still fighting hard to save jobs at Bombardier and more power to their elbow. Whether they succeed or not, the Liberal Democrats must campaign loud and clear on our own positive and distinctive message.

Vince Cable has already taken the very unusual step for a Secretary of State of publicly calling on the PM to change the way we do public procurement contracts in the future. I know people in the East Midlands have ideas and expertise in this area and we should be making sure that is fed into the government's thinking. Everyone seems to agree that we have to do things differently in the future.

There are very strong arguments for a strategy that rebalances the economy away from financial services. That means taking active steps to support manufacturing. An unfettered market approach is great when things are going well and everyone is making money but it is people with families who suffer when the wheels come off and a disproportionate number of those people will be in places like the midlands. But we can claim the credit for the coalition taking this line compared to New Labour's record.

And we can challenge the 'Little Englander' reaction. The benefits to British based manufacturers of being part of a European market far outweigh any short term benefits from pulling up the drawbridge and hoping the real world goes away.

Governing in the current economic climate is tough. Hard decisions with real and lasting consequences have to be made. But Liberal Democrats have made a positive impact on the way Britain is run. We must not be shy about getting that message across.

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