UK PM disappointed, workers devastated at Honda plant closure plan
Japanese carmaker Honda’s decision to close a factory in Britain and lay off 3,500 employees has disappointed UK Prime Minister Theresa May as workers say they have been devastated by the news.
May's spokesman said on Tuesday the premier had spoken to the president of Honda to express her disappointment after the carmaker announced it was planning to close its factory in Swindon by 2021.
“She said that she had spoken to the president of Honda to express her disappointment at the decision which is part of a global restructure that Honda is undertaking as it shifts to electric vehicles,” the spokesman said.
Honda has insisted the decision had nothing to do with Britain’s imminent withdrawal from the European Union.
Government officials have reacted in a same manner to similar moves by other major companies, including an announcement last month by Nissan, another giant Japanese car manufacturer, to call off production of special model in the UK.
The government and pro-Brexit lawmakers in parliament have insisted Nissan’s move is not related to the government’s strategy on Brexit.
Experts have repeatedly warned that UK’s failure to remain as close as possible to the EU after leaving the bloc would seriously harm Britain’s economy.
They insist that hundreds of thousands of jobs will be affected if Britain decides to leave the EU at the end of March without an agreement and in a disorderly manner.
Workers at Honda’s factory in Swindon, in southwest England, said they had been devastated to hear the closure plans which could lead to loss of 3,500 jobs.
“Devastated. That’s all I can say,” said a worker as he was leaving the factory on Monday, adding that employees had never been warned about Honda’s planned move.
Other workers blamed the decision on their lawmakers in the parliament who campaigned for Brexit and promoted the idea that leaving the EU could bring benefits to the region.
“People like Justin Tomlinson, our MP, campaigned for this Brexit. He wanted Brexit,” said a worker, who has been at the plant for 24 years, adding, “Perfectly viable car plant operating for 30 years, no problem at all – as soon as Brexit comes along the plant needs investment.”
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