Given May’s decision to call an election, a couple of year back, could she be tempted to do it again, with the 7 leaving Labour, and play into Labour’s hands, again? Could she........?
Honda has said that the decision to close is mainly due to global trends as most of the cars built in Swindon were shipped to the USA. The plant is also now old so if you were putting a refreshed Investment strategy together the cost of return against say land sale values would be high on the agenda. I suspect the brexit effect is not even on it.
God knows. Feels like absolutely anything could happen. Maybe even something good, though it’s tough being optimistic right now.
Three months ago they said they were committed to remaining in the U.K., while also warning that a no-deal Brexit would put considerable pressure on their business. I just re read your last sentence. I suspect you can’t possibly believe that..
Trouble is Archers Honda leaving the UK has been on the cards for at least 5 years. However because of the business they were doing with the Americans they tended to hold back. Business has dropped in the last couple of years and is still dropping mainly because of the diesel situation I understand. Although the yanks I didn't think were so worried but apparently they are still not expecting so many diesel sales. The last time I went to Swindon was in 2012/2013 It was thought then that the plant was a bit antiquated (Their own words) They did say they were "going to make major changes in the next 3/4 years" while I was there. I don't think you can blame everything on Brexit.........
Also with the EU/Japan trade deal the tariff issue for car imports has ensured Japan can export without needing an EU base. Demand has been falling all over the globe, mostly in China and production has been lower for a while in Swindon. Brexit is an issue in the process though a minor one.
I don't blame the whole thing on Brexit mate. Of course it's not the only factor, but nothing happens in a vacuum. It's not just Honda cancelling or reducing their investment in UK manufacturing , is it? Nissan, Toyota, Panasonic, these aren't coincidences.
These were test cases were the same details were given, for example, for a Mr Gallagher and a Mr Obafemi, so they wouldn't have given any other non-UK indicators. The only thing that was changed or indicated they were or weren't ethnically White British were their names. I think your faith in humankind is an indicator that you're a good guy. I don't think of myself as a cynic but I think personnel directors know the answer they need to give to that question. I'm shocked 2% still mentioned ethnicity anyway, but I'm telling you it will be more although whether it would be intentional prejudice is another question.
I won’t be building my hopes up that Chuka Umunna will be campaigning for his constituents to have a People’s vote, to decide if they want an independent MP or a Labour one. Surely the people have a right to say? Hey Chuka?
I feel the 7 have in effect terminated theri political careers. If they were that serious about Labour´s internal wranglings, they should have stayed within the party and battled to reform. As for the 7, I have no doubt that Chuka and Lucinda will have very successful second careers - a combination of good looks and intelligence will mean they are fine.
I have to tell this story.... although some may find it hard to believe. Just after I was made a sales director back in the day......(No Im not telling who for) I had a lovely secretary Donna we'll call her.) I had to advertise for someone to replace me in the field (basically) As it was somewhat urgent we asked people to either write in or phone in for an interview. We actually also told them the interview date. The post was for a European wide executive that had to have at least one European language as well as good English. This was on the Friday before the Monday I officially took over my new post. By the following Friday we had about 15 applicants some phoned some wrote. The interviews were in just less than two weeks (under 3 weeks in all) We narrowed the field down to 5 all to be interviewed on a Thursday. The final interview on the following Tuesday. Two changed their minds which left 3. On the Wednesday before the Thursday Donna received a call From Germany. The line was very bad apparently. I had instructed her that if we did have any late people if they sounded reasonable to her to include up to 2 more in and then fax me the list to our London office with their interview times. She was very experienced so she could be trusted to make this judgement. The last one on the List caused one heck of a stir in our London office the next morning. According to Donna.........No kidding...... Adolf Hitler ......Needless to say I went on the phone to ask if she was pulling our legs. No she said Im not kidding she said she asked him the same question although the line was bad and he got quite cross with her. Apparently he had good qualifications so she agreed for us to see him and faxed the application to him to bring with him. Cutting an even longer story short.......His name was actually Arnold Histor (Here I have changed it a bit to protect his real identity, but only slightly) We actually hired him. He actually stayed with the company for just over 32 years before he retired. Right from the off he was called Adolf especially when it got about. Donna bless her never lived it down. She even mentioned it on her last day of life at 84. God Bless her.......
Chuka says “You don’t join a party to spend years arguing with the people inside the party”. If he has spent years arguing with, what should be his colleagues, maybe he joined the wrong party in the first place?
As it stands a meeting is being held at 6am tomorrow morning to inform the early shift of what’s happening.....but rumour tonight is Honda is also shutting Honda Turkey down.....not looking good ......feel for the guys at work with young families and new mortgages Will inform more as I get it
Can’t find it in myself to “like” this, Ritchie. Good luck, mate - I can’t but help feel that all the economic downturn and uncertainty due to the “B” word has had a fair bit to do with it. For example, if there are any components on the sea from the Far East right now that will take more than 40 days to get here, there’s no idea whether the paperwork with them will be valid. What a ****ing triumph ......
All the best Ritchie, whatever the reasons it’s never good news for the workers when a company is doing badly. I seem to recall that Honda Swindon laid off a load of people in 2013.
Who´s next? Nissan? Then the UK i really reeling in the mire. And it will affect Germany and France. All because of the stupid "B" word. Madame May should inform Barnier with immediate effect that Brexit is being dropped in its entirety. And if there are angry Brexiteers on the streets rioting, so be it. Just send in the riot pólice and bash them up.
There's the financial sector and EU agencies moving plus numerous research projects UK is excluded from. All the more reasons to revoke article 50.
