Especially with the developing constitutional crisis in Germany, there is increasing attention to the fact that this Government's incompetent handling of Brexit is imperilling the motor industry. Some of us saw this coming.
As something of a model of a different economy and of the opportunities for post-Brexit Britain, I have for some months, and despite the best efforts of the supposedly Labour County Council in trying to send me to prison instead, been working with everyone worth approaching on a proposal.
Following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, or in anticipation of that withdrawal, the Volkswagen Group would move to this historically industrial County of Durham all of its production for the British market that was not already located here in the United Kingdom, as I appreciate that a very small amount is.
The suggestion is for a company wholly owned by Volkswagen. One Director would be nominated by each of the Groups on Durham County Council other than the Labour Group, which is clearly unsympathetic to this project, and one Director would be nominated by those Councillors who had no formal political affiliation. A number of Directors equal to the number of non-Labour Groups would be nominated by Unite the Union, including one by Durham Unite Community. One Director would be nominated by the Durham Miners' Association.
A Chairman appointed by Volkswagen would exercise the parent company's veto over all decisions. This new company would undertake to match (by such means as to avoid any conflict of interest) the Members' Initiative Fund of £2000 per annum at the disposal of each of the Councillors who were represented on its Board of Directors. It would underwrite the cost of the activities of Durham Unite Community. It would underwrite the Durham Miners' Gala. And it would underwrite the cost of maintaining the Durham Miners' Hall.
Were it not for Simon Henig and his ghastly little mob, then this would now be very well-advanced indeed. But they are determined to stop many thousands of well-paid, highly skilled jobs from coming to County Durham. They are determined to deny any kind of voice, both to all political positions other than their own, and to the trade union movement. They are determined to punish financially wards that have had the temerity to vote for anyone else. And they are determined to prevent a secure financial future for Durham Unite Community, for the Durham Miners' Gala, or for the Durham Miners' Hall.
So determined are they, in fact, that they are engaged in a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and in malfeasance in public office, in an attempt to kill this scheme, among others, by sending me to prison. If I am wrong, then let Simon Henig sue me.
Why would they come? Why should they come? And why on earth would they pay for the gala?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to answers to any or all three
Well, they seem to be perfectly keen on the idea. If only we can get the mob running County Hall out of the way. That is the only obstacle.
DeleteAnd no answer to any of the three points. A true politician Mr lindsay.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that, in spite of everything, these negotiations are ongoing, does answer all three of your questions.
DeleteTo avoid you becoming a modern Michael Howard I will give you further clarity.
ReplyDelete1. Why would they come to Durham rather than, say, Ellesmere Port where there are already vacant car plants? One line from you will do.
2.Why should they come? Even a couple of words from you would answer this.
3. Why should they fund the Gala? Even a coherent syllable would be the start of an answer.
or will you 'continue to bottle it' and not answer three very simple questions.
I already have: the answer is that this is happening. This is not an idea. This is an ongoing project. I am sorry that you are sore that you did not think of it first, but in that case you need to get out of the municipal Labour Right, which never thinks of anything.
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