Diane James vows to fly to USA for crunch talks with Ford bosses if elected

UKIP candidate's pledge to take fight for Transit plant to America UKIP candidate's pledge to take fight for Transit plant to America

UK Independence Party candidate Diane James pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP.

Members of UKIP, including MEP Paul Nuttall, the party’s deputy leader, visited the doomed Ford factory in Swaythling yesterday to speak to workers as they finished their shift.

Ms James said: “I’ll happily invest my own money to go across to the US if required and have a talk to the Ford officials. I am happy to do that with my own money behind it to see what I can negotiate.”

Ms James said she was “astonished” that production would be moved to Turkey.

She said: “It’s not a very good reflection on the UK Government that we are actually exporting jobs and we’re paying to export those jobs. What I have been picking up on the streets is absolute astonishment, much like my own, that the UK Government has done nothing to stand up for UK manufacturing.”

Mr Nuttall, MEP for the North West England region, said: “We think it’s obscene that in effect Britain is paying through its contributions to the European Investment Bank for its own jobs to be exported abroad and we’re not talking about it being exported to another country in the EU, although that would be bad enough, we are talking about Turkey, which isn’t even in the European Union at all."

Comments(30)

Geoff Siddall says...
12:24pm Thu 21 Feb 13

The good people of Eastleigh need to be inspired by the UKIP Candidate and not be afraid.

Eastleigh. It is your town, your country your choice.

Make a difference

divorce88 says...
1:15pm Thu 21 Feb 13

vote UKIP.nothing to loose, give them a chance ! I am fed up with the main 3 spouting the same old rubbish, a disgrace all the Ford jobs are going and its helped by EU money!

illhavemysay says...
3:37pm Thu 21 Feb 13

Vote Diane James UKIP. Look at the country as a whole, Labour filled our country with migrants now LibLabCons all want to build on our green fields because of the migrants, The Tories Libs and Labour do all the EU wants, look at how Tories agrred the grant to Turkey for a ford plant, ONLY UKIP CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN make history VOTE UKIP

philgcdr says...
3:56pm Thu 21 Feb 13

Vote UKIP.org for UK sovereignty.

beiroot says...
10:48pm Thu 21 Feb 13

Looks like this site is a Party Political Broadcast from UKIP.Keep it up and send a message to the main parties. Perhaps it's not a 2 horse race.

Geoff Siddall says...
1:20am Fri 22 Feb 13

beiroot wrote:
Looks like this site is a Party Political Broadcast from UKIP.Keep it up and send a message to the main parties. Perhaps it's not a 2 horse race.
This is a truth telling site by people who know whats really happening to the country.

If political parties were like burgers, the UKIP burger would be the one containing 100% beef so it must be a one horse race.

Pikey-Biker says...
2:44pm Fri 22 Feb 13

a one cow race?

Geoff Siddall says...
2:49pm Fri 22 Feb 13

****-Biker wrote:
a one cow race?
It was nice to see Nigel Farage (UKIP) and Tessa Jowell (Labour) debating subjects such as the HS2 on a recent BBC Daily Politics Show.

Both with different views but each showing respect to each others point of view.

It would be nice if people making comments in this paper would show the same respect to each other. We all owe it to the very people we live amongst. The people want to see a good debate otherwise they will be put off from getting involved in the very issues that impact their lives.

Pikey-Biker says...
6:24pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
beiroot wrote: Looks like this site is a Party Political Broadcast from UKIP.Keep it up and send a message to the main parties. Perhaps it's not a 2 horse race.
This is a truth telling site by people who know whats really happening to the country. If political parties were like burgers, the UKIP burger would be the one containing 100% beef so it must be a one horse race.
a one cow race?

so you don't like humour then?

elvisimo says...
9:45pm Fri 22 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
beiroot wrote:
Looks like this site is a Party Political Broadcast from UKIP.Keep it up and send a message to the main parties. Perhaps it's not a 2 horse race.
This is a truth telling site by people who know whats really happening to the country.

If political parties were like burgers, the UKIP burger would be the one containing 100% beef so it must be a one horse race.
No it's not. It is a load of xenophobic propaganda made by people who misguidedly thinking registering for the echo website and electioneering will make the slightest bit of difference.

Still, if they have nothing better to do....

Geoff Siddall says...
10:34pm Fri 22 Feb 13

elvisimo wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
beiroot wrote:
Looks like this site is a Party Political Broadcast from UKIP.Keep it up and send a message to the main parties. Perhaps it's not a 2 horse race.
This is a truth telling site by people who know whats really happening to the country.

If political parties were like burgers, the UKIP burger would be the one containing 100% beef so it must be a one horse race.
No it's not. It is a load of xenophobic propaganda made by people who misguidedly thinking registering for the echo website and electioneering will make the slightest bit of difference.

Still, if they have nothing better to do....
Its about saving British jobs and the community.

UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP.

Did the previous MP do anything to save British Jobs in the community.

UKIP are proud to be the party of the people, and the party to lead the fight to regain control of our country from the EU.

If your happy to see the House of Commons closed down and you want to lose the right to vote for our leaders as the EU take full control thats your choice.

UKIP have never disliked or feared people from other countries as many of our members and supporters are from other countries.

We simply want control of our borders to stop mass immigration not immigration before our front line services ends the same way as the House of Commons, CLOSED.

We simply want the British people to have a choice over the issue of Europe.

BE INSPIRED - NOT AFRAID

Geoff Siddall says...
11:50pm Fri 22 Feb 13

The other day as I travelled on the train back to Eastleigh people were talking about the by-election, the EU and mass immigration. Amongst all the talk I overheard a young lad innocently ask his father what’s immigration? And the father’s response went something like this…….

“Well son, the UK is like a ship, It can only take so many passengers before the gangways and decks become clogged up with passengers and no one can move, the bar runs out of pop, the galley can’t supply enough meals, the purser runs out of cabins, the toilets overflow and the ships doctor is overwhelmed with the sick and the injured, the swimming pool becomes stagnant, the crew are unable to function, the engines stop as the engineers are unable to access the engines, then the ship capsizes in the first swell and there are not enough life jackets and life boats for the passengers.

The ship eventually sinks and god knows what becomes of the passengers as they turn and fight each other to save their own lives. Son, Mass immigration will sink the ship and the UK”.

The son looking amazed at his fathers answer asks “But what was the Captain thinking?” “Well son the captain was in the bridge and cared less about what was happening on his ship refusing to listen to his crew or the voices of the passengers. All he cared for was getting his ship over to Europe”.

Pikey-Biker says...
11:57pm Fri 22 Feb 13

"UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP"

I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such

Geoff Siddall says...
12:05am Sat 23 Feb 13

****-Biker wrote:
"UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP"

I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands.

It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.

Pikey-Biker says...
12:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile.

Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.

Geoff Siddall says...
12:53pm Sat 23 Feb 13

****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile.

Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless.
UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.

Pikey-Biker says...
12:57pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile. Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless. UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.
Geoff comparing the sacrifice of the many soldiers and civillians in those wars and battles you mentioned with a futile half hearted political gesture is a bit sick really

Pikey-Biker says...
1:07pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile. Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless. UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.
I don’t even think if the Prime Minister went to American to plead with Ford he would get anywhere, let alone an M.P (who of if elected would be UKIP’s only M.P)

divorce88 says...
4:16pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Vote UKIP and see if she is good to her word.No one else has said they will do ANYTHING to save the Ford jobs..it is worth a go even if you change to another Party at the General Election if you dont like what she does in the next 2 years.While we are talking about the brave servicemen laying down their lives......did you hear the rubbish the Labour canditate said" he wished we had lost the Falkland War" My husbands ship was blown up in that war i find his comments sick and unworthy of ANY votes !

davescorpio0 says...
4:59pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Have The British People lost their spirit?
Have they given up on what truly matters to them? I so hope not. Can't they see what's happening to their Country have they really been brainwashed by the 3 main parties and all we do is go around and around in circles. Lab to Tory to Lab to Tory/Lib and nothing really improves. We are sold out to The EU and just sit back and give up. Well people of Eastleigh it's really up to you to either keep on going round and round in circles or try something different
UKIP will make a difference just give em a try. What have you got to lose?
NOTHING

Mr-La-De-Da-Gunner-Graham says...
5:55pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Her sentiments are worthy of much praise, of course. No point flying into the "Belly of the Beast" to beg with F(o)raud's executives for a reprieve though. If the US Gummint has decreed that F(o)raud isn't generating enough tax revenue to continue funding their illegal wars around the world and they need to employ virtual slave labour in Turkey to boost it, then that is what will happen.
Diane would be better off seeking Chinese/Malaysian/Br
azillian/Russian motor companies who would be interested in the site - face it, it's the logical path to go down and not one single "figure" from the LibCon gang have dared to take it!
VOTE UKIP!!!!

divorce88 says...
6:04pm Sat 23 Feb 13

It was EU money that helped Ford to move the jobs to Turkey (non EU country..so far..they do want to join ) One of the reasons Romney lost his Election hopes was when they published he helped companys go outside of USA for cheaper workforce.

philgcdr says...
6:18pm Sat 23 Feb 13

"UKIP (UKIP.org) SURGE IN EASTLEIGH

This morning’s Populus poll bears that out. They are in third place with 21 per cent, with the Tories second on 28 and the Lib Dems ahead with 33. But, as the indispensable UK Polling Report points out,if you don’t reallocate some of the undecides to the party they voted for last time, UKIP are doing even better. The numbers then are UKIP 25%, Tories 26% and Lib Dems 31%"

From: Specatordotcodotuk

Geoff Siddall says...
8:39pm Sat 23 Feb 13

****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile. Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless. UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.
Geoff comparing the sacrifice of the many soldiers and civillians in those wars and battles you mentioned with a futile half hearted political gesture is a bit sick really
Clearly you have lost the understanding. As someone who has served in the British Army and lost friends in recent wars and family in past wars how on earth can you say I am sick.

The point was and is your attitude is negative regarding "Whats the point" of fighting for jobs. I am trying to motivate you and say be proud and fight like our forfathers did during the wars......Think your comments about sick is sick so I wish you the best of luck as you lay in a field under the rain and die as you have clearly given up on the country.

Geoff Siddall says...
8:41pm Sat 23 Feb 13

I have made my point on this article. Moving on to the next important issue. Please carry on the debate ladies and gents.

Geoff Siddall says...
8:43pm Sat 23 Feb 13

****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile. Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless. UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.
I don’t even think if the Prime Minister went to American to plead with Ford he would get anywhere, let alone an M.P (who of if elected would be UKIP’s only M.P)
davescorpio0 says...
4:59pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Have The British People lost their spirit?
Have they given up on what truly matters to them? I so hope not. Can't they see what's happening to their Country have they really been brainwashed by the 3 main parties and all we do is go around and around in circles. Lab to Tory to Lab to Tory/Lib and nothing really improves. We are sold out to The EU and just sit back and give up. Well people of Eastleigh it's really up to you to either keep on going round and round in circles or try something different
UKIP will make a difference just give em a try. What have you got to lose?
NOTHING”

Pikey-Biker says...
9:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
I have made my point on this article. Moving on to the next important issue. Please carry on the debate ladies and gents.
which is?

Pikey-Biker says...
9:11pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile. Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless. UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.
Geoff comparing the sacrifice of the many soldiers and civillians in those wars and battles you mentioned with a futile half hearted political gesture is a bit sick really
Clearly you have lost the understanding. As someone who has served in the British Army and lost friends in recent wars and family in past wars how on earth can you say I am sick. The point was and is your attitude is negative regarding "Whats the point" of fighting for jobs. I am trying to motivate you and say be proud and fight like our forfathers did during the wars......Think your comments about sick is sick so I wish you the best of luck as you lay in a field under the rain and die as you have clearly given up on the country.
You are comparing wars and battles where millions lost their lives with a van plant that is going to close; no ones died at the Transit factory as far as I know.

divorce88 says...
9:30pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Many a town has "died" when the main employer has left. You must fight to keep the community alive. Jobs go , then the local shops close a downward spiral.

Pikey-Biker says...
9:45pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote:
Geoff Siddall wrote:
****-Biker wrote: "UK Independence Party candidate Diane James has pledged to fly to the USA with her own money for crunch talks with Ford bosses if she is elected as Eastleigh MP" I suppose it sounds good but ultimately a futile gesture which the majority of the electorate will recognise as such
My friend it’s no good laying down and dying. The British have to fight as we have always fought. Remember Waterloo, the Somme, the Battle of Britain, D Day and the Falklands. It’s not about UKIP, Labour, Conservatives or the Lim Dems it’s about getting back our country as a democratic independent Nation. However UKIP is the only party leading the fight for the people.
Geoff, you know the likelihood of UKIP winning this seat is very small, and is unlikely to happen, and the chances of the Ford Motor Company changing their minds even less so it’s futile. Anyway if she is only going to speak to Ford bosses “only if” she is elected comes across as a bit half hearted.
One has to try for the people and not lay down to die as you have already. Never give up. As for being a bit half hearted in your words. Do you think Ford bossess will take interest and notice if the MP representing the people turned up or other person with interest. So your point is meaningless. UKIP has already won by showing the British people that we are here to contest every seat in the country.
I don’t even think if the Prime Minister went to American to plead with Ford he would get anywhere, let alone an M.P (who of if elected would be UKIP’s only M.P)
davescorpio0 says... 4:59pm Sat 23 Feb 13 Have The British People lost their spirit? Have they given up on what truly matters to them? I so hope not. Can't they see what's happening to their Country have they really been brainwashed by the 3 main parties and all we do is go around and around in circles. Lab to Tory to Lab to Tory/Lib and nothing really improves. We are sold out to The EU and just sit back and give up. Well people of Eastleigh it's really up to you to either keep on going round and round in circles or try something different UKIP will make a difference just give em a try. What have you got to lose? NOTHING”
Much as it’s a shame the transit factory is closing but the plant only makes 28,000 vans the Turkish plant currently makes 210,000 rising to 290,000 in 2014 so it’s bit like comparing your favourite local paper shop closing down because of a Tesco’s Superstore it happens all the time.
It’s a global economy nowadays and it won’t change if we were in or out of Europe

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