High Peak Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats have been fighting back against the direct loss of jobs at Bombardier, and knock on affect at other companies.
The original contract was agreed under Labour to Labour's requirements, and government legal advice says nothing can be changed. But ministers are being asked whether they should take independent advice on this…
One frustration is not to have seen the 'confidential' tender requirements, which people presume were too narrowly centred on unit cost, not the impact on Britain, to include outputs on employment, training, professional engineering and the like. However, we believe that further contract details are still to be agreed with Siemens as the 'preferred bidder' and this should, at minimum, give an opportunity to keep some railway engineering in Derby.
This Saturday (23rd) there is a protest march happening in Derby. We want a good turnout of Liberal Democrats. Please come if you can. Meet at Bass's Rec (the park between Derby's railway and bus stations, park in Pride Park or Liversage/Westfield car parks - see map) at 10am, walking to Cathedral Green for 12 noon.
12 designs for simple posters to make and bring with you to give us an identity on the march can be downloaded here.
Other action includes:
- On the council the three parties are united in seeking ways of challenging the decision, and are working with the local Rail Forum and the Derby Telegraph to keep the issue high up the media agenda. They hope to meet Vince Cable this week, and David Cameron later.
- I had the chance to raise local concerns at the Liberal Democrats' transport committee of backbench MPs, who are writing to Vince Cable as a result.
- The Lib Dem interest group Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists (ALDES) has been taking a close interest, with good input from members with knowledge
of the industry and the legal side of tendering.
- Petition to the Minister of Transport to save jobs in Derby - Please sign here
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