19/11/2008

LABOUR FAILS TO STAND UP FOR PENICUIK BANK JOBS

Gordon Brown and the Labour Party has failed to offer any meaningful support for the 40,000 jobs at HBoS, 12 of them based locally in Penicuik that are currently under threat from the takeover by Lloyds TSB. That was the claim made by SNP MSP Christine Grahame who described as a “disgrace” revelations that Scottish businessman Jim Spowart had been actively discouraged from seeking an alternative deal by Labour Party representatives. Ms Grahame believes an alternative bid to the Lloyds TSB take over proposal would have safeguarded threatened jobs in Penicuik and the rest of Scotland. She said:

”Just this weekend we learnt there is little difference between the takeover of HBoS by Lloyds TSB and staying independent in terms of the capitalisation needs of the banks. But there is a massive difference to Scotland in terms of jobs, decision-making and competition.
“In Penicuik we could see 12 or more local jobs being lost as a result of the Labour Party backed Lloyds deal. Once again Labour actions are leading to job losses in Penicuik and Scotland.

”With Jim Spowart's comments and the Prime Minister's failure to give any assurances about the jobs of employees in HBoS it is becoming apparent he is putting his own ego before jobs.

”Since details of a possible takeover came to light and Gordon Brown's personal involvement in that deal the behaviour of the Labour government and Labour party in Scotland has been bizarre.

”South of the Border Labour MPs have been very vocal about the need to protect jobs that are under threat from this merger, but their Labour colleagues north of the Border have been united in their absolute silence on the issue.”

SNP It’s time.....