Closure fears for Southampton Ford factory

Closure fears for Southampton Ford factory Closure fears for Southampton Ford factory

Ford could be set to announce the closure of its Southampton plant tomorrow, it has been reported.

The Southampton factory, which employs 600 workers, is famous for making the iconic Transit van.

Ford today announced it had started a consultation in Belgium on a plan to close its Genk Plant and to cease vehicle production by the end of 2014.

It added adding that the closure would entail a "reduction of approximately 4,300 positions".

Ford of Europe's chief executive Stephen Odell added: "The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe."

Meanwhile the plant's local MP, Caroline Nokes, said she was urgently trying to get answers from Ford's management.

She said: “This would be incredibly bad news for Swaythling in particular but also Southampton and the wider region.

“There are 500 jobs at the plant, but this would also be horrendous news for people in the supply chain.

“Southampton has been the home of the Transit for many years, and it would be an absolute tragedy when the motor sector is doing well in other parts of the country if the Ford plant was to close.”

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne added: “I would be appalled if it was to close, and it would entirely go against the assurance we had from senior Ford management at the time of the last restructure.”

The speculation over the plant's future follows a fall in European sales.

A Ford spokeswoman said there would be further announcements tomorrow about the firm’s European restructuring plans.

But she declined to comment on the future of the Southampton plant, however Sky News were reporting that an annoucnement tomorrow would see the plant close.

The US carmaker last month confirmed staff at the Southampton factory will be offered voluntary redundancy under plans to shed “several hundred” jobs across Europe.

The giant car and van manufacturer is looking to slash positions across the continent and reduce spending on agency workers.

The workforce of around 500 salaried workers at Southampton’s Swaythling plant were due to be offered voluntary “separations” along with thousands of other staff around the country employed by the firm.

Union chiefs have already warned that managerial and engineering jobs are under threat around the country.

The Swaythling plant last year produced 28,000 short and medium wheel base Transit vehicles and was due to shortly become the lead European plant for the chassis cab variants of the next model Transit.

About half the workforce – some 500 jobs – were culled at the Swaythling factory three years ago.

The firm is conducting three job cutting programmes in Germany, the UK and the rest of Europe.

It said it wanted to adapt production to shrinking demand.

The second biggest car maker in the US is expected to lose more than $1billion in Europe this year.

Its car sales have plunged 12 per cent in Europe in the year to August, according to an industry group, and by 29 per cent in August.

Ford has other UK operations at Dagenham, Bridgend and a jointm venture at Halewood.

Trade union representatives have been called to a meeting at its Basildon headquarters tomorrow morning, according to Unite, the union.

Denham calls for Government to step in

History of the Ford Plant - click here

For all the background to the Ford saga click here

Comments(101)

mooky9 says...
1:00pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Another nail in the coffin that is southampton...

MGRA says...
1:07pm Wed 24 Oct 12

riduculous strategic decision if true. That leaves just Turkey producing transits and the plant there is in an Earthquake zone...

hulla baloo says...
1:10pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Sorry for the workers, but they only have those short sighted and out dated dinosaurs of union leaders ( muppets) to blame.

Over the Edge says...
1:12pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?

mellowdude says...
1:16pm Wed 24 Oct 12

with better quality vehicles being built, and these lasting longer than ever, surely its inevitable that demand for vans will fall.

mack chinnon says...
1:17pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.

Hdg end mo says...
1:18pm Wed 24 Oct 12

There's no such thing as job for life anymore most of the ford employees have been working there for many years and due to there age will find it difficulty to find new employment however the rumours of closure have been circulating for a number of years if it's true good luck to all. last major organisation standing. Ford itself as been struggling worldwide against globule recession and poor sales

Huey says...
1:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12

say it aint so

hulla baloo says...
1:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Hdg end mo wrote:
There's no such thing as job for life anymore most of the ford employees have been working there for many years and due to there age will find it difficulty to find new employment however the rumours of closure have been circulating for a number of years if it's true good luck to all. last major organisation standing. Ford itself as been struggling worldwide against globule recession and poor sales
Is there a shortage of globules? was not aware of that.

Hdg end mo says...
1:42pm Wed 24 Oct 12

:-)

Aninterestedparty says...
1:43pm Wed 24 Oct 12

I just hope this is another rumour and it doesn't come true. It's been reported over many years that the Southampton Plant is closing however they have survived. Only recently Hendy Ford were advised that the new transit was going to built in Southampton. Why can't Ford communicate accurately and in a timely manner and save all their employees the stress?!

arthur dalyrimple says...
1:57pm Wed 24 Oct 12

heard the airport will be extended ,very bad news for mansbridge residents.

HillsidePaul says...
1:59pm Wed 24 Oct 12

mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Might cause some delays on the M27.

peenut81 says...
2:01pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Another example of the private sector disproving the only case it has in its defence- job creation.
Sure there's lots of accountants, bankers and legal people going to make money out of this as well as for the developer who gets the biggest kick back in first on the site.
Hulla ballo, you are an idiot.

modusoper says...
2:01pm Wed 24 Oct 12

This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!

Shoong says...
2:04pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Never like to see people lose jobs, but in my experience, Transits used to be good. Now they ain't.

I doubt anyone will know the difference between or Turkish van or Southampton made one.

hulla baloo says...
2:05pm Wed 24 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
Go and live in a tent in the forest, seems the solitude you seek will be there.

Horse’s mouth says...
2:06pm Wed 24 Oct 12

arthur dalyrimple wrote:
heard the airport will be extended ,very bad news for mansbridge residents.
How will it jump over the M27?

Bowilks says...
2:13pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,
Bacardi,Phillips,Sta
ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh
o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.

Torchie1 says...
2:16pm Wed 24 Oct 12

peenut81 wrote:
Another example of the private sector disproving the only case it has in its defence- job creation.
Sure there's lots of accountants, bankers and legal people going to make money out of this as well as for the developer who gets the biggest kick back in first on the site.
Hulla ballo, you are an idiot.
Every cloud has a silver lining.

hulla baloo says...
2:23pm Wed 24 Oct 12

peenut81 wrote:
Another example of the private sector disproving the only case it has in its defence- job creation.
Sure there's lots of accountants, bankers and legal people going to make money out of this as well as for the developer who gets the biggest kick back in first on the site.
Hulla ballo, you are an idiot.
Pray, tell me why you come to that conclusion of me being an idiot, maybe because my opinion does not agree with yours?
Also, if you want to throw insults, spell the name correctly.

acid drop says...
2:24pm Wed 24 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
If you dont like living near fords or the airport you could always move, It's not that difficult

southy says...
2:28pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,

Bacardi,Phillips,Sta

ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh

o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.

Stillness says...
2:38pm Wed 24 Oct 12

southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,


Bacardi,Phillips,Sta


ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh


o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.

southy says...
2:44pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,



Bacardi,Phillips,Sta



ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh



o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.

arthur dalyrimple says...
2:44pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Horse’s mouth wrote:
arthur dalyrimple wrote:
heard the airport will be extended ,very bad news for mansbridge residents.
How will it jump over the M27?
new runway planned i heard for the city hop jets.due to the local flood risk,houses wont be built there.

arthur dalyrimple says...
2:44pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Horse’s mouth wrote:
arthur dalyrimple wrote:
heard the airport will be extended ,very bad news for mansbridge residents.
How will it jump over the M27?
new runway planned i heard for the city hop jets.due to the local flood risk,houses wont be built there.

arthur dalyrimple says...
2:44pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Horse’s mouth wrote:
arthur dalyrimple wrote:
heard the airport will be extended ,very bad news for mansbridge residents.
How will it jump over the M27?
new runway planned i heard for the city hop jets.due to the local flood risk,houses wont be built there.

Stillness says...
2:53pm Wed 24 Oct 12

southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,




Bacardi,Phillips,Sta




ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh




o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
They are after nationalizing the banks in the hope that the government will be less corrupt than the bankers. Best of luck with that one.

Independent Thought says...
2:54pm Wed 24 Oct 12

HillsidePaul wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Might cause some delays on the M27.
Runway over the motorway. They've done it at Schipol Airport in Holland.

Cyber__Fug says...
3:04pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,



Bacardi,Phillips,Sta



ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh



o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
...and you could have predicted exactly whos fault it was ! Nothing to do with the Unions trying to hold the country to ransom and the manufacturers moved production to a workforce that "worked" instead of strike ???

southy says...
3:22pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Cyber__Fug wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,




Bacardi,Phillips,Sta




ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh




o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
...and you could have predicted exactly whos fault it was ! Nothing to do with the Unions trying to hold the country to ransom and the manufacturers moved production to a workforce that "worked" instead of strike ???
So its holding the country to ramson to save jobs and working conditions.
The economy relys on people working and getting a reasonable wage and reasonable hours.
loss jobs or take cuts or made to work longer hours and theres only 1 way the economy is going down wards in to a deeper slump.
And you will be moaning when it finally effects you.
Time to nationalise the Ford Transit Factory, and let see how quick Fords would want to move out

News Fanatic says...
3:26pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,

Bacardi,Phillips,Sta

ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh

o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
This is what the Tories meant by "we are going to rebalance the economy.'' It's all imports and no exports.

Shoong says...
3:29pm Wed 24 Oct 12

southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,




Bacardi,Phillips,Sta




ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh




o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.

bazzeroz says...
3:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Who's going to say' "Oh dear, not at this time of year what with Christmas around the corner, what will they do?" I just said that!

hulla baloo says...
3:40pm Wed 24 Oct 12

southy wrote:
Cyber__Fug wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,





Bacardi,Phillips,Sta





ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh





o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
...and you could have predicted exactly whos fault it was ! Nothing to do with the Unions trying to hold the country to ransom and the manufacturers moved production to a workforce that "worked" instead of strike ???
So its holding the country to ramson to save jobs and working conditions.
The economy relys on people working and getting a reasonable wage and reasonable hours.
loss jobs or take cuts or made to work longer hours and theres only 1 way the economy is going down wards in to a deeper slump.
And you will be moaning when it finally effects you.
Time to nationalise the Ford Transit Factory, and let see how quick Fords would want to move out
so they did not hold to ransom and did save jobs? is the report wrong?
Nationalise Ford Transit factory? As far as I am aware that is owned by Fords, and American company. How do you propose to nationalise that?

Over the Edge says...
3:42pm Wed 24 Oct 12

HillsidePaul wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Might cause some delays on the M27.
I was thinking that,,,,mind you the delays would be probably no more than rush hour

southy says...
3:42pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,





Bacardi,Phillips,Sta





ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh





o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Funy that because of they let the Capitalist here in the UK and USA have a say on there finance and then came the deregulation of finance that cause there crash, That merger of the Left have only had a say in policy matters after the big Icelandic finance crash caused though the Capitalist, just because they formed in 2000, do not mean that had real say what happen in there country, that came after they manage to gain control of the there Government.

roofspace says...
4:02pm Wed 24 Oct 12

!% screwing the other 99% and blaming the 99% and the Raving Right sycophants writing to say it is all the workers fault. I don't remember any workers deciding company policy and pocketing wads of cash from share dividends, gold plated pensions, golden hello's & golden goodbye's. I do remember them earning it for the 1% though.
Ford and every other big company lie through their teeth, always have done and will always do so.
When I worked there we settled for a 3% rise as we were told one week that they would be making a loss and there might have to be lay-off's just after we settled they announced profits of 26,000,000. They said the same thing the following year and we being gullible believed them again. After we agreed a minimal rise they promptly announced an increase of profits to 126,000,000.

Shoong says...
4:04pm Wed 24 Oct 12

southy wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,






Bacardi,Phillips,Sta






ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh






o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Funy that because of they let the Capitalist here in the UK and USA have a say on there finance and then came the deregulation of finance that cause there crash, That merger of the Left have only had a say in policy matters after the big Icelandic finance crash caused though the Capitalist, just because they formed in 2000, do not mean that had real say what happen in there country, that came after they manage to gain control of the there Government.
Who is 'the Capitalist'?

Yep, they managed to get in - after forming a coalition - that's how popular they were!

Torchie1 says...
4:06pm Wed 24 Oct 12

roofspace wrote:
!% screwing the other 99% and blaming the 99% and the Raving Right sycophants writing to say it is all the workers fault. I don't remember any workers deciding company policy and pocketing wads of cash from share dividends, gold plated pensions, golden hello's & golden goodbye's. I do remember them earning it for the 1% though.
Ford and every other big company lie through their teeth, always have done and will always do so.
When I worked there we settled for a 3% rise as we were told one week that they would be making a loss and there might have to be lay-off's just after we settled they announced profits of 26,000,000. They said the same thing the following year and we being gullible believed them again. After we agreed a minimal rise they promptly announced an increase of profits to 126,000,000.
If you weren't happy with it why did you stay at Fords?

Over the Edge says...
4:07pm Wed 24 Oct 12

www.bbc.co.uk/news/b
usiness-20054924#TWE
ET302777

southy says...
4:09pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,







Bacardi,Phillips,Sta







ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh







o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Funy that because of they let the Capitalist here in the UK and USA have a say on there finance and then came the deregulation of finance that cause there crash, That merger of the Left have only had a say in policy matters after the big Icelandic finance crash caused though the Capitalist, just because they formed in 2000, do not mean that had real say what happen in there country, that came after they manage to gain control of the there Government.
Who is 'the Capitalist'?

Yep, they managed to get in - after forming a coalition - that's how popular they were!
they are that popular now that they are changing there economics and political policy removing all that is right wing, and replacing it with left wing, and now there economy is growing, unemployment is coming down, there public services are getting better, homless is going down, and there is less poverity, even the crime rate is falling.

George4th says...
4:38pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,

Bacardi,Phillips,Sta

ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh

o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
All the ones you mentioned were heavily Unionised. The Unions fought tooth and nail to hold onto outdated working practices and overmanning - they strangled investment and
modernisation at souce.
Result? Southampton with no major businesses!

Limplarry says...
4:55pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Does anyone really care anymore? This is like a cheap Christmas repeat on sky movies, get over it.

Nicole23 says...
5:13pm Wed 24 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
Yes, all the local residents who have worked or still work there must really resent the place having supported their families and paid their bills. Clown.

Gainer T Gopher says...
5:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12

about time to do what all good Southampton Ford workers do when their jobs are threatened..... STRIKE!!!

That will show them at head office....

Linesman says...
5:34pm Wed 24 Oct 12

hulla baloo wrote:
Sorry for the workers, but they only have those short sighted and out dated dinosaurs of union leaders ( muppets) to blame.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession.

Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in.

Linesman says...
5:36pm Wed 24 Oct 12

mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.

Linesman says...
5:40pm Wed 24 Oct 12

hulla baloo wrote:
peenut81 wrote:
Another example of the private sector disproving the only case it has in its defence- job creation.
Sure there's lots of accountants, bankers and legal people going to make money out of this as well as for the developer who gets the biggest kick back in first on the site.
Hulla ballo, you are an idiot.
Pray, tell me why you come to that conclusion of me being an idiot, maybe because my opinion does not agree with yours?
Also, if you want to throw insults, spell the name correctly.
Because, like Cameron, you 'shoot from the hip' with your comments.

If you gave a little thought (your capacity?) before making the comments, you may realise that most of them are, like Cameron's, totally flawed and end up with a U-Turn.

Pomerol says...
5:42pm Wed 24 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
What a utterly bizzare thing to say. The employees pay tax, council tax and national insurance. They CONTRIBUTE to the local ecomony.

Now they will be costing the tax payers in benefits.

Linesman says...
5:45pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,







Bacardi,Phillips,Sta







ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh







o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Funy that because of they let the Capitalist here in the UK and USA have a say on there finance and then came the deregulation of finance that cause there crash, That merger of the Left have only had a say in policy matters after the big Icelandic finance crash caused though the Capitalist, just because they formed in 2000, do not mean that had real say what happen in there country, that came after they manage to gain control of the there Government.
Who is 'the Capitalist'?

Yep, they managed to get in - after forming a coalition - that's how popular they were!
Bit like the Tories.

George4th says...
5:53pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
hulla baloo wrote:
Sorry for the workers, but they only have those short sighted and out dated dinosaurs of union leaders ( muppets) to blame.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession.

Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in.
"Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession."
NO! It has more to do with outdated Union practices and the economic mess the Labour government left behind with the mega high Deficit/Debt - the biggest ever seen in the UK!
"Spend! Spend! Spend!" Labour Party Motto
"Spend Spend Spend!" Trade Union Motto
>
"Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in."

Sounds like you're getting worried!
What will you say when Cameron is proved right?!

Labour got in under Wilson, Labour in under Blair. Result in both cases? Massive Debt and a visit to thye door of the IMF!!!
What worries me is that there are people out there who want Labour to be knocking on the door of the IMF for a 3rd time!!

S Pance says...
6:05pm Wed 24 Oct 12

As I have said before, In Southampton you have workers on £35k who do nothing all day but fit wheel nuts and refuse to undertake any other functions under union "rules".

In Turkey you have workers doing the same job for £15k and are willing to do different tasks as and when the company requires.

Which workforce would you sack?

The only reason Southampton is in this position is the historical greed on the unions there.

aldermoorboy says...
6:21pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Linesman, what do you think of your Labour misleading ( to be kind to them ) councillors.
Good example to the young?
Sad Labour/Union Leaders, bad Labour/Union Leaders.
Linesman take the same.

DBTM says...
6:33pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Have you never heard of that magical trick that allows vehicles to cross a road, looking like they're floating in the air?
It's called a bridge...

Frank28 says...
6:36pm Wed 24 Oct 12

What a shame. British jobs are expendable over cheaper labour in other countries.

andyfidler1966 says...
6:42pm Wed 24 Oct 12

I was made redundant from a British subsidiary of an American company a few years when our jobs were offshored to India. There were no unions in our workplace, and I don't think that they would have helped. In my personal experience the link between "monolith" unions and job losses is not proven.

andyfidler1966 says...
6:46pm Wed 24 Oct 12

DBTM wrote:
Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Have you never heard of that magical trick that allows vehicles to cross a road, looking like they're floating in the air?
It's called a bridge...
The entire airport would need to be raised. Alternatively they could install a catapult at the north end to launch planes over the motorway embankment.

Fatty x Ford Worker says...
6:48pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Dont forget the Brussel Spourts can switch to another model re Chassis Cab or the cheap option will be a switch to the Turkey Boys!

Fatty x Ford Worker says...
6:51pm Wed 24 Oct 12

S Pance wrote:
As I have said before, In Southampton you have workers on £35k who do nothing all day but fit wheel nuts and refuse to undertake any other functions under union "rules".

In Turkey you have workers doing the same job for £15k and are willing to do different tasks as and when the company requires.

Which workforce would you sack?

The only reason Southampton is in this position is the historical greed on the unions there.
Dont forget the Brussel Spourts can switch to another model re Chassis Cab or the cheap option will be a switch to the Turkey Boys!

redsnapper says...
6:58pm Wed 24 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
You bar steward!!

Just another selfish south england nimby who only cares for him/herself.

Probably a council jobsworth!

Or a skate.

Southampton boy says...
7:03pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Sorry to hear that Fords will be pulling out of Southampton, I worked there for 30 years and enjoyed it its bad news for Southampton Hospital looks like lossing heart section Transit plant closing Saints lossing why donts we just put up the closed sign on the end of M3

Fatty x Ford Worker says...
7:05pm Wed 24 Oct 12

hulla baloo wrote:
Hdg end mo wrote:
There's no such thing as job for life anymore most of the ford employees have been working there for many years and due to there age will find it difficulty to find new employment however the rumours of closure have been circulating for a number of years if it's true good luck to all. last major organisation standing. Ford itself as been struggling worldwide against globule recession and poor sales
Is there a shortage of globules? was not aware of that.
KNOCK IT DOWN AND BUILD A SPEEDWAY TRACK AND A @rse SKATTY RINK!

Rockhopper says...
7:06pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Surely will be considered a prime development site for residential housing.

sotonbev says...
7:15pm Wed 24 Oct 12

acid drop wrote:
modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
If you dont like living near fords or the airport you could always move, It's not that difficult
What a **** responce, your saying that your pleased that hundreds of people are going to lose thier jobs, possibly homes and struggle to get another job, moron.

Linesman says...
7:19pm Wed 24 Oct 12

aldermoorboy wrote:
Linesman, what do you think of your Labour misleading ( to be kind to them ) councillors.
Good example to the young?
Sad Labour/Union Leaders, bad Labour/Union Leaders.
Linesman take the same.
I await the outcome on that, but whatever that may be, it will not have the national effect that Cameron's promise that the NHS would be safe in his hands will have.

It will not have the devastating effect on the country's future that the tuition fees will have.

Certainly not as devious and at variance with the truth as Cameron's claim that he would look after our troops then making many of them redundant on returning from Afghanistan and expecting the country's defence capabilities to be carried out by Reservists.

How many of those troops being made redundant are capable or even suitable to cover the civilian jobs of those reservists being used to replace them?

Do you consider that to be a good example to the young?

Linesman says...
7:26pm Wed 24 Oct 12

DBTM wrote:
Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Have you never heard of that magical trick that allows vehicles to cross a road, looking like they're floating in the air?
It's called a bridge...
So you want a runway over the M27.

I can't see that being passed without opposition from residents and safety experts.

MGRA says...
7:39pm Wed 24 Oct 12

moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.

Creaky Knees says...
7:54pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
DBTM wrote:
Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Have you never heard of that magical trick that allows vehicles to cross a road, looking like they're floating in the air?
It's called a bridge...
So you want a runway over the M27.

I can't see that being passed without opposition from residents and safety experts.
Bridge? Block the M27? You've all missed the obvious solution: traffic lights. They use them everywhere in Southampton, so they'll put some on the M27 along with "ahead only" signs to conform to health and safety regulations.

Linesman says...
7:56pm Wed 24 Oct 12

George4th wrote:
Linesman wrote:
hulla baloo wrote:
Sorry for the workers, but they only have those short sighted and out dated dinosaurs of union leaders ( muppets) to blame.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession.

Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in.
"Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession."
NO! It has more to do with outdated Union practices and the economic mess the Labour government left behind with the mega high Deficit/Debt - the biggest ever seen in the UK!
"Spend! Spend! Spend!" Labour Party Motto
"Spend Spend Spend!" Trade Union Motto
>
"Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in."

Sounds like you're getting worried!
What will you say when Cameron is proved right?!

Labour got in under Wilson, Labour in under Blair. Result in both cases? Massive Debt and a visit to thye door of the IMF!!!
What worries me is that there are people out there who want Labour to be knocking on the door of the IMF for a 3rd time!!
The financial problems faced by the previous government were caused by International Banking that had its beginnings in the USA and spread virtually world wide and is what has caused the problems with the Euro.

Brown took action to limit the effect in the UK by bailing out banks, building societies and also councils that had invested their money in Icelandic Banks.

What alternative solution did the leader of the opposition at the time, David Cameron, suggest?

HE DID NOT! As now, he did not have a clue.

Compare that with the previous financial crisis. Black Wednesday and Maestrict.

No International Crisis. Nobody else to blame but the incompetence of the Tory government of the time that resulted in interest rates in their teens, with families having their houses repossessed and record numbers of unemployed - no matter how they tried to doctor the figures.

I can only guess that you have selective memory loss and have conveniently forgotten about that.

What I would like to know is, if your beloved Tories are so great with finance, WHAT HAS THE COUNTRY GOT TO SHOW FOR ALL THE £BILLIONS THAT THATCHER&CO RAISED BY SELLING OFF STATE-OWNED ASSETS LIKE NORTH SEA OIL, BT, ELECTRICITY, GAS ETC ETC.

Personally, I cannot think of one thing.

Could it possibly be that the result is all the £millionaires on the government front bench?

Andy Locks Heath says...
8:05pm Wed 24 Oct 12

And what are Southampton's local politicians doing? They are busy driving jobs away from the docks and elsewher,e driving away investment, driving away young people's futures. This is the history of Southampton. At a time when jobs are going the local politicians are showing off to a bunch of east european politicians about reducing CO2 emissions, or to put it in plain english, exporting prosperity to countries with more sense.

S Pance says...
8:06pm Wed 24 Oct 12

MGRA wrote:
moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.
True.

The only reason I can see for keeping Southampton is that it's small. Closing a bigger plant would produce bigger savings.

OSPREYSAINT says...
8:09pm Wed 24 Oct 12

mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Only if you divert the Motorway, might make space for a long term car park but not much else. How about moving the Aviation Museum there, it is an historical site.

OSPREYSAINT says...
8:16pm Wed 24 Oct 12

If you Google map the runway you will see that it isn't aligned with the Ford works, it could be extended over the motorway with a bridge alongside the Cemetery but I doubt if that will ever happen, very little need for it.

MGRA says...
8:28pm Wed 24 Oct 12

S Pance wrote:
MGRA wrote:
moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.
True.

The only reason I can see for keeping Southampton is that it's small. Closing a bigger plant would produce bigger savings.
there is a 50% chance of a huge earthquake closing the turkish production in the next decade. it would take only 3 months to switch some production to southampton. Its their insurance policy. The management have forgotten this. If the turkey plant goes offline then ford will loose sales,,,, forever.... The brand is almost half dead commercially in the EU anyway.

roofspace says...
8:32pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Torchie1 wrote:
roofspace wrote:
!% screwing the other 99% and blaming the 99% and the Raving Right sycophants writing to say it is all the workers fault. I don't remember any workers deciding company policy and pocketing wads of cash from share dividends, gold plated pensions, golden hello's & golden goodbye's. I do remember them earning it for the 1% though.
Ford and every other big company lie through their teeth, always have done and will always do so.
When I worked there we settled for a 3% rise as we were told one week that they would be making a loss and there might have to be lay-off's just after we settled they announced profits of 26,000,000. They said the same thing the following year and we being gullible believed them again. After we agreed a minimal rise they promptly announced an increase of profits to 126,000,000.
If you weren't happy with it why did you stay at Fords?
Not wanting to be a wanna-be raving right sycophant I didn't. As a trainee lapdog you have seen what suits you. The only thing you tried to get from the comment was brownie points and praise from the Maggie Thatcher Brown Nose Society.

andyfidler1966 says...
8:38pm Wed 24 Oct 12

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
If you Google map the runway you will see that it isn't aligned with the Ford works, it could be extended over the motorway with a bridge alongside the Cemetery but I doubt if that will ever happen, very little need for it.
Doesn't the motorway go along a bridge over Wide Lane? Unless it takes a steep drop going eastwards any runway extention would involve building a bridge over another bridge/embankment. It would never work.

skin2000 says...
8:40pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,





Bacardi,Phillips,Sta





ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh





o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Are capitalists any better? Look at the USA and the approaching Fiscal Cliff.

redsnapper says...
9:33pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Andy Locks Heath wrote:
And what are Southampton's local politicians doing? They are busy driving jobs away from the docks and elsewher,e driving away investment, driving away young people's futures. This is the history of Southampton. At a time when jobs are going the local politicians are showing off to a bunch of east european politicians about reducing CO2 emissions, or to put it in plain english, exporting prosperity to countries with more sense.
Andy you are so right. This city has been completely let down by these local ignoramuses masquerading as people who give a ****. They don#t.

The city has totally squandered opportunities thats its geographical location delivers.

City fathers with any vision should have given us a city with a major tourist attraction, an exposition centre,an attractive and a vibrant waterfront area, the list is endless instead they have developed a gateway city which has swamp estates increasing the violent crime rate and just mouthing of platitudes at election time.

A city with a future might have had a chance to change the mind of FoMoCo.

Regretfully our city is very much second rate compared to what it could be.

phil maccavity says...
9:36pm Wed 24 Oct 12

southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,


Bacardi,Phillips,Sta


ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh


o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Southy
No wonder you are subject to regular ridicule
If you check hard facts, rather than rely on your warped imagination, you will find that, for the past 10 years or more, there has always been more vehicle exports out of Soton port than coming in, by some margin.
On the subject matter, it will be devastating for the economy of the the area should Fords pull out.
The Ford factory inTurkey has been given plenty of state aid.
The factory in Soton has been crying out for an upgrade for years (some of the buildings are listed from WW11!!!) but, as ever, any EC/UK State Aid has been concentrated elsewhere eg Merseyside, Derby, Sunderland, Midlands.
I feel really sorry for the Ford workers as this is not their fault

Sir Ad E Noid says...
9:38pm Wed 24 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
What a completely idiotic comment. The workers at Ford in Southampton deserve a break. You, for your moronic comment, deserve nothing.

Torchie1 says...
9:56pm Wed 24 Oct 12

roofspace wrote:
Torchie1 wrote:
roofspace wrote:
!% screwing the other 99% and blaming the 99% and the Raving Right sycophants writing to say it is all the workers fault. I don't remember any workers deciding company policy and pocketing wads of cash from share dividends, gold plated pensions, golden hello's & golden goodbye's. I do remember them earning it for the 1% though.
Ford and every other big company lie through their teeth, always have done and will always do so.
When I worked there we settled for a 3% rise as we were told one week that they would be making a loss and there might have to be lay-off's just after we settled they announced profits of 26,000,000. They said the same thing the following year and we being gullible believed them again. After we agreed a minimal rise they promptly announced an increase of profits to 126,000,000.
If you weren't happy with it why did you stay at Fords?
Not wanting to be a wanna-be raving right sycophant I didn't. As a trainee lapdog you have seen what suits you. The only thing you tried to get from the comment was brownie points and praise from the Maggie Thatcher Brown Nose Society.
It would be interesting to read the response to a complicated question.

wake up says...
10:28pm Wed 24 Oct 12

been on the cards for years , at least they aint blaming the workers for striking as an excuse to shut it ... perhaps they might use the site to make spitfires again to fight against these corrupt nazi elitest corporations that are the puppet masters to our puppet governments on a global scale,,,, WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE BILLIONS OF BAILOUT MONEY GM MOTORS & FORDS GOT ? all gone ? yep thought so !

S Pance says...
10:36pm Wed 24 Oct 12

MGRA wrote:
S Pance wrote:
MGRA wrote:
moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.
True.

The only reason I can see for keeping Southampton is that it's small. Closing a bigger plant would produce bigger savings.
there is a 50% chance of a huge earthquake closing the turkish production in the next decade. it would take only 3 months to switch some production to southampton. Its their insurance policy. The management have forgotten this. If the turkey plant goes offline then ford will loose sales,,,, forever.... The brand is almost half dead commercially in the EU anyway.
How?

Southampton no longer has the tooling for the other models of Transit. Then there's recruitment and training of staff.

You also forget that the Izmit transit plant has been designed such that it's largely earthquake resistant and the risk of any lengthy shutdown is more than offset by the savings in staffing costs.

Shoong says...
10:36pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,








Bacardi,Phillips,Sta








ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh








o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Funy that because of they let the Capitalist here in the UK and USA have a say on there finance and then came the deregulation of finance that cause there crash, That merger of the Left have only had a say in policy matters after the big Icelandic finance crash caused though the Capitalist, just because they formed in 2000, do not mean that had real say what happen in there country, that came after they manage to gain control of the there Government.
Who is 'the Capitalist'?

Yep, they managed to get in - after forming a coalition - that's how popular they were!
Bit like the Tories.
Yes, well done, aren't you the Mensa member.

S Pance says...
10:43pm Wed 24 Oct 12

MGRA wrote:
S Pance wrote:
MGRA wrote:
moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.
True.

The only reason I can see for keeping Southampton is that it's small. Closing a bigger plant would produce bigger savings.
there is a 50% chance of a huge earthquake closing the turkish production in the next decade. it would take only 3 months to switch some production to southampton. Its their insurance policy. The management have forgotten this. If the turkey plant goes offline then ford will loose sales,,,, forever.... The brand is almost half dead commercially in the EU anyway.
How?

Southampton no longer has the tooling for the other models of Transit. Then there's recruitment and training of staff.

You also forget that the Izmit transit plant has been designed such that it's largely earthquake resistant and the risk of any lengthy shutdown is more than offset by the savings in staffing costs.

S Pance says...
10:48pm Wed 24 Oct 12

MGRA wrote:
S Pance wrote:
MGRA wrote:
moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.
True.

The only reason I can see for keeping Southampton is that it's small. Closing a bigger plant would produce bigger savings.
there is a 50% chance of a huge earthquake closing the turkish production in the next decade. it would take only 3 months to switch some production to southampton. Its their insurance policy. The management have forgotten this. If the turkey plant goes offline then ford will loose sales,,,, forever.... The brand is almost half dead commercially in the EU anyway.
Rumour circulating down pub say plant is to cease production by mid 2013, equipment to be shipped to Turkey and plant to close end of December.

Obviously, this is a rumour but will be interesting to see what's announced tomorrow.

Robert.b says...
10:51pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Rockhopper wrote:
Surely will be considered a prime development site for residential housing.
Good place for 600 hundred coucil flats for the jobless workers.

Linesman says...
11:00pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Shoong wrote:
Linesman wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Shoong wrote:
southy wrote:
Stillness wrote:
southy wrote:
Bowilks wrote:
Delcos,BAT,Pirellis,









Bacardi,Phillips,Sta









ndard telephones,Meyers.Wh









o's next Rank Hovis for new hotel in the docks ! !No wonder the docks are getting busier it's all imports and no exports.
You hit the nail on the head "all imports and no exports" well very little exports.
Its been like that since Thatcher government denationalise State industary.
Relax everyone. Southy is on the case.
Stills have read off the peaceful revolution that taking place in Iceland.
They are demantling and removing all Capitalist Economics and Political Policy, and replacing them with a Socialist Economics and Political Policy, and all ready they are a very stable country, the most stable country in Europe now, there National Debt is falling now.
Thinking that something happening in Iceland can be applied to our country is complete folly, naive at best. Must do better.

In 2000 there was a merger of all the left parties to form the Social Democratic Alliance. So Iceland isn't becoming Socialist, it's been Socialist but surprise, surprise, they couldn't see past the end of their noses and it fell apart. Iceland is a perfect example of how Socialists cannot handle an economy.
Funy that because of they let the Capitalist here in the UK and USA have a say on there finance and then came the deregulation of finance that cause there crash, That merger of the Left have only had a say in policy matters after the big Icelandic finance crash caused though the Capitalist, just because they formed in 2000, do not mean that had real say what happen in there country, that came after they manage to gain control of the there Government.
Who is 'the Capitalist'?

Yep, they managed to get in - after forming a coalition - that's how popular they were!
Bit like the Tories.
Yes, well done, aren't you the Mensa member.
If being able to remember how the Tories came to power a couple of years back makes me a member of Mensa, then I am.

If it does not, I am not.

Having been a critic of my various contributions on the Echo pages, for you to pose such a question would indicate that you are not a member.

kingnotail says...
12:01am Thu 25 Oct 12

mooky9 wrote:
Another nail in the coffin that is southampton...
That coffin was already buried years ago..

George4th says...
12:03am Thu 25 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
George4th wrote:
Linesman wrote:
hulla baloo wrote:
Sorry for the workers, but they only have those short sighted and out dated dinosaurs of union leaders ( muppets) to blame.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession.

Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in.
"Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession."
NO! It has more to do with outdated Union practices and the economic mess the Labour government left behind with the mega high Deficit/Debt - the biggest ever seen in the UK!
"Spend! Spend! Spend!" Labour Party Motto
"Spend Spend Spend!" Trade Union Motto
>
"Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in."

Sounds like you're getting worried!
What will you say when Cameron is proved right?!

Labour got in under Wilson, Labour in under Blair. Result in both cases? Massive Debt and a visit to thye door of the IMF!!!
What worries me is that there are people out there who want Labour to be knocking on the door of the IMF for a 3rd time!!
The financial problems faced by the previous government were caused by International Banking that had its beginnings in the USA and spread virtually world wide and is what has caused the problems with the Euro.

Brown took action to limit the effect in the UK by bailing out banks, building societies and also councils that had invested their money in Icelandic Banks.

What alternative solution did the leader of the opposition at the time, David Cameron, suggest?

HE DID NOT! As now, he did not have a clue.

Compare that with the previous financial crisis. Black Wednesday and Maestrict.

No International Crisis. Nobody else to blame but the incompetence of the Tory government of the time that resulted in interest rates in their teens, with families having their houses repossessed and record numbers of unemployed - no matter how they tried to doctor the figures.

I can only guess that you have selective memory loss and have conveniently forgotten about that.

What I would like to know is, if your beloved Tories are so great with finance, WHAT HAS THE COUNTRY GOT TO SHOW FOR ALL THE £BILLIONS THAT THATCHER&CO RAISED BY SELLING OFF STATE-OWNED ASSETS LIKE NORTH SEA OIL, BT, ELECTRICITY, GAS ETC ETC.

Personally, I cannot think of one thing.

Could it possibly be that the result is all the £millionaires on the government front bench?
You are in denial!
History will record that we had a Debt of over £600 Billion BEFORE the global financial crisis (which Labour encouraged without proper financial regulation!) plus a rising DEFICIT!
We had a government who BORROWED £3 FOR EVERY £4 THEY SPENT!
TOTAL MADNESS! How can you possibly justify that level of incompetence?!

kingnotail says...
12:04am Thu 25 Oct 12

mooky9 wrote:
Another nail in the coffin that is southampton...
That coffin was already buried years ago..

kingnotail says...
12:08am Thu 25 Oct 12

modusoper wrote:
This if true will be great news. This place needs to close, it causes so much grief to local residents, and the social club has been the bane of residents for years. Glad to see the back of the place. Just wish the airport would close with it!!!
It's because of attitudes like this that Southampton has become the hopeless basket case that it is.

pqp123 says...
12:36am Thu 25 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Don't be so stupid.

Have you ever heard of a thing called tunnel?

southy says...
10:49am Thu 25 Oct 12

S Pance wrote:
MGRA wrote:
S Pance wrote:
MGRA wrote:
moronic comments on here as per usual... to inject some reason.... A. The plant does not make economic sense. B. The plant makes strategic sense. C. Ford products are utter c@ck. D. this has NOTHING to do with politics. E. That land has uses 500% better than an obsolete van factory.
True.

The only reason I can see for keeping Southampton is that it's small. Closing a bigger plant would produce bigger savings.
there is a 50% chance of a huge earthquake closing the turkish production in the next decade. it would take only 3 months to switch some production to southampton. Its their insurance policy. The management have forgotten this. If the turkey plant goes offline then ford will loose sales,,,, forever.... The brand is almost half dead commercially in the EU anyway.
Rumour circulating down pub say plant is to cease production by mid 2013, equipment to be shipped to Turkey and plant to close end of December.

Obviously, this is a rumour but will be interesting to see what's announced tomorrow.
They can not ship equipment to Turkey, Fords do not own it, the equipment was bought by the state at a cost of £50 billion, the only thing Fords own is the Ford badge, and its the same with every Car manufactory. The only country that had the good motion was Spain, who turn round to Fords if you want your goods sold here then you pay for them to be built here to, and Fords had to pay out, for every thing and still do.
Nationalise the Ford Transit plant and lets see if Fords back out then.

southy says...
10:51am Thu 25 Oct 12

pqp123 wrote:
Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Don't be so stupid.

Have you ever heard of a thing called tunnel?
You would never be able to have the Tunnel high enough to fit a jet liner though, at best it would only be good for is a car park.

southy says...
10:58am Thu 25 Oct 12

George4th wrote:
Linesman wrote:
George4th wrote:
Linesman wrote:
hulla baloo wrote:
Sorry for the workers, but they only have those short sighted and out dated dinosaurs of union leaders ( muppets) to blame.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession.

Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in.
"Of course, it has nothing to do with the incompetence of the government's economic policies that has seen a double-dip recession."
NO! It has more to do with outdated Union practices and the economic mess the Labour government left behind with the mega high Deficit/Debt - the biggest ever seen in the UK!
"Spend! Spend! Spend!" Labour Party Motto
"Spend Spend Spend!" Trade Union Motto
>
"Cameron thinks that the good times are just around the corner because of good results in the last quarter, but it needs more than one good quarter to get us out of the mire they have got the country in."

Sounds like you're getting worried!
What will you say when Cameron is proved right?!

Labour got in under Wilson, Labour in under Blair. Result in both cases? Massive Debt and a visit to thye door of the IMF!!!
What worries me is that there are people out there who want Labour to be knocking on the door of the IMF for a 3rd time!!
The financial problems faced by the previous government were caused by International Banking that had its beginnings in the USA and spread virtually world wide and is what has caused the problems with the Euro.

Brown took action to limit the effect in the UK by bailing out banks, building societies and also councils that had invested their money in Icelandic Banks.

What alternative solution did the leader of the opposition at the time, David Cameron, suggest?

HE DID NOT! As now, he did not have a clue.

Compare that with the previous financial crisis. Black Wednesday and Maestrict.

No International Crisis. Nobody else to blame but the incompetence of the Tory government of the time that resulted in interest rates in their teens, with families having their houses repossessed and record numbers of unemployed - no matter how they tried to doctor the figures.

I can only guess that you have selective memory loss and have conveniently forgotten about that.

What I would like to know is, if your beloved Tories are so great with finance, WHAT HAS THE COUNTRY GOT TO SHOW FOR ALL THE £BILLIONS THAT THATCHER&CO RAISED BY SELLING OFF STATE-OWNED ASSETS LIKE NORTH SEA OIL, BT, ELECTRICITY, GAS ETC ETC.

Personally, I cannot think of one thing.

Could it possibly be that the result is all the £millionaires on the government front bench?
You are in denial!
History will record that we had a Debt of over £600 Billion BEFORE the global financial crisis (which Labour encouraged without proper financial regulation!) plus a rising DEFICIT!
We had a government who BORROWED £3 FOR EVERY £4 THEY SPENT!
TOTAL MADNESS! How can you possibly justify that level of incompetence?!
The UK national debt was started in the 80's, £600 billion was what the Torys left Labour when they came into power, the Torys borrowed money against the WWII loan, Labour had to pay that off, and now the Torys can't hide what they borrowed.

pqp123 says...
3:29pm Thu 25 Oct 12

southy wrote:
pqp123 wrote:
Linesman wrote:
mack chinnon wrote:
Over the Edge wrote:
Bloody hell, another 600 workers out on their ear.

Not a prime example of the private sector picking up those made redundant in the public sector, that Mr CaMoron said would happen.

I suppose the site will be become prime building land?
I can see a runway extension there.
Blocking off the M27?

You must be part of Cameron's policy planning committee. It is bound to cause a U-Turn - on the M27.
Don't be so stupid.

Have you ever heard of a thing called tunnel?
You would never be able to have the Tunnel high enough to fit a jet liner though, at best it would only be good for is a car park.
Obviously the tunnel is to divert the M27 traffic not the aircrafts fgs

OSPREYSAINT says...
6:53pm Thu 25 Oct 12

andyfidler1966 wrote:
OSPREYSAINT wrote:
If you Google map the runway you will see that it isn't aligned with the Ford works, it could be extended over the motorway with a bridge alongside the Cemetery but I doubt if that will ever happen, very little need for it.
Doesn't the motorway go along a bridge over Wide Lane? Unless it takes a steep drop going eastwards any runway extention would involve building a bridge over another bridge/embankment. It would never work.
It would be possible but far too expensive to warrant it. As I said before, Google map the site and you will see what I mean.

roofspace says...
9:01am Fri 26 Oct 12

Torchie1 wrote:
roofspace wrote:
Torchie1 wrote:
roofspace wrote:
!% screwing the other 99% and blaming the 99% and the Raving Right sycophants writing to say it is all the workers fault. I don't remember any workers deciding company policy and pocketing wads of cash from share dividends, gold plated pensions, golden hello's & golden goodbye's. I do remember them earning it for the 1% though.
Ford and every other big company lie through their teeth, always have done and will always do so.
When I worked there we settled for a 3% rise as we were told one week that they would be making a loss and there might have to be lay-off's just after we settled they announced profits of 26,000,000. They said the same thing the following year and we being gullible believed them again. After we agreed a minimal rise they promptly announced an increase of profits to 126,000,000.
If you weren't happy with it why did you stay at Fords?
Not wanting to be a wanna-be raving right sycophant I didn't. As a trainee lapdog you have seen what suits you. The only thing you tried to get from the comment was brownie points and praise from the Maggie Thatcher Brown Nose Society.
It would be interesting to read the response to a complicated question.
Then ask one.

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