Honda workers travel to Parliament as campaign to save Swindon plant ramps up

Honda workers and union representatives have travelled to Parliament as part of their campaign to save jobs in Swindon.

The group plan to lobby politicians and meet MPs. They hope a question will be raised at Prime Minister’s Questions so the issue remains on the political agenda.

3,500 jobs are at risk after Honda announced plans to close the Swindon plant and build their new electric models in North America and Asia, where they have a larger customer base.

Honda directors stressed the decision to relocate was not related to Brexit but reflected wider changes in the global car industry.

Unite Union, which represents workers, says the government now needs to intervene and apply pressure on Japan to reconsider.

Speaking on the bus to London, Unite rep Alan Tomala said they weren’t giving up, he said “we’re not going to walk off into the sunset and lock the doors to the plant”.

Alongside the Honda staff on the way to London, are those working for firms in the supply chain.

Paul Davies from T S Tech Ltd told ITV News that Honda is their only customer, 700 jobs are at risk in nearby Highworth.

Estimates place the number of jobs affected in the wider supply chain and across the country, at around 12-14,000.

A petition to save jobs in Swindon has reached more than 12,500.