Politicians are pulling together to back Jaguar Land Rover, as David Bartlett discovers

POLITICIANS from across Merseyside united last night to back the Daily Post’s campaign for the Government to support Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Earlier this week we launched our Support JLR campaign together with sister paper the Echo and Midlands stablemates the Birmingham Post and Mail, and Coventry Telegraph.

JLR employs 2,200 staff at Halewood and more than 13,000 in the West Midlands.

Our campaign urges the Government to provide a short term loan or stand as guarantor to give banks the confidence to free up funds.

The cabinet will come under pressure to provide the assistance when it meets in Liverpool today.

Last night Eddie O’Hara, MP for Knowsley South which covers Halewood, said: “I totally support the campaign, for all the reasons that have been stated.

“The car industry is no ordinary industry, you are not just talking about the cars being produced at Halewood.

“It’s about the knock on effect to other jobs in the engineering industry that cannot be allowed to go under.

“JLR are in the forefront of developing green technology and that’s very important for the future.”

He said he thought there was a “good chance” the Government would intervene, and believes “we have got a good case”.

Wavertree MP Jane Kennedy said: “The number of jobs involved are hugely important to the Merseyside economy and to families and communities across the region.

“It’s not just the factory, but also the supply chain that provides tools and parts. I am 150% behind the campaign, this is about a real company with real people doing real work.”

Maria Eagle, the justice minister and MP for Garston, said she had always been extremely supportive of the car industry.

She said: “ We are an activist government that wants to intervene, rather than a do- nothing party.”

RIverside MP Louise Ellman said the Government was looking at ways of protecting essential industries.