Mike Whitby leading from the front on LDV
Great emerging news this afternoon that LDV had been in meetings with the leader of Birmingham City Council to see what possibly could be done to help rescue the firm.
If anyone can make a difference, Mike Whitby can in his role.
And what a great story it would be for Birmingham if the company is saved after his intervention. Brummies looking after Brummies, and challenging the government to step in as well.
We have to manage expectations, of course... Mike cannot change the world and it could be that it is not possible to take things forward.
But the fact that he has made the effort and found the time to meet with LDV bosses is crucial and he should be applauded for this.
The first details on this story are in tonight's City Final edition, and we will be following it up with more details, we hope, in tomorrow's paper.
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Steve Dyson - Blog from the Editor on recent issues and events.
Jesus, so Iron Mike is going to save us.
How on earth is he going to get the world to buy fourth division vans. When, to be fair, the City Council don't.
And, while we're on the subject, this is a genuine question.... what make are the vans that go around delivering the Birmingham Mail?
Almost all LDV vans (delivering the Mail).
No-one's saying Mike W can save LDV alone... but his actions are good leadership and will increase pressure on Govt.
Meanwhile, don't miss tomorrow's (Saturday's) paper for interesting news on this issue...
It would be a shame to see LDV disappear,not only for the factory workers,but those in associated industries too.
Despite the sentiment, obvioulsy LDV vans aren't selling, due to some circumstances beyond LDV's contol. I drive down the M6 five nights a week and the massive amount of unsold stock is visible. It's obvious that this stock needs selling, to get money back in the bank.
Will a bail out by any interested party in the short term, really secure the Wood Lane plant's future? Or will it just tide them over until the next crisis?
How many people across the UK actually care if the plant closes? I care for the reasons metioned above, once the engineeering skills are lost,then they are likely to be lost for good.That's a real blow for the future revival of the economy.
This may sound silly, but I wonder if everyone who wants to see LDV vans continue, actually chucked a minimum of £10.00 (or more) in the pot,say as a share purchase. What amount could be raised?
We need to start looking after our own in this country,because it's clear that the elected politicians can't or wont.