Apology for comment on Nissan jobs
A BRIDGEND councillor has apologised after saying people working at Nissan who voted leave should be the first to lose their jobs.
The comment was made on social media after news the company was no longer going to make a new model in the UK.
David White, a councillor for the Newcastle ward, posted on Facebook: “All those who voted leave – should be laid off first” above a news story of the car maker moving production of its X-Trail SUV to Japan.
Highlighting the message on Twitter, and tagging in Jeremy Corbyn, as well as the UK Labour Party, Bridgend County Indies said: “Excuse us, is this acceptable from one of your Labour councillors in South Wales?”
Cllr White has since apologised for the post saying it was issued in “sheer frustration” at how Brexit uncertainty was threatening jobs and investment in the country.
He said: “I wouldn’t wish losing a job on anyone in real life and I shouldn’t have done it online.
“Misplacing the blame doesn’t help to bring us all together, and I will certainly be considering the effect of what I post in future.”
A Bridgend County Independent spokesman said the group was “appalled” to read the post saying it was “crass and lacking in any form of coherence or empathy”.
The spokesman said: “The people voted for what they felt was right during the referendum, now to suggest that they should be punished by losing their livelihood by a politician and union representative is beyond comprehension.
“This country is being split apart by politicians seeking to further their own agendas and this is evident with this comment by somebody who says he stands on socialist principles.
“His anger should be directed at those seeking greater profits not those hard workers who struggle to make ends meet under Conservative austerity which has hit that area hard.
“We would ask Cllr White whether his views extend to the 400 people due to lose their jobs at Ford, some of which may well be constituents of his in Newcastle ward.
“We support calls for his de-selection from the Labour Group immediately so that Labour distance themselves from these comments.”
Bridgend County Borough Council leader Huw David said Cllr White was “of course wrong” to post the comment.
He said: “I have been crystal clear with him that it was unacceptable and he has apologised unreservedly. It goes without saying that his comments do not reflect the view of the council.
“We are working hard to mitigate against the UK government’s shambolic handling of Brexit, and that anyone’s job could be at risk because of two years of complete uncertainty about our future is a damning indictment of this chaotic government.
“If anyone needs to get a grip, it’s the Prime Minister – of her divided cabinet, divided government and divided MPs.”
In 2016 Nissan said it would build the new model of its X-Trail SUV in UK after receiving “assurances” from the government over Brexit.
But the car maker announced at the weekend it was axing the planned investment at its plant in Sunderland, choosing Japan instead.
It has said the decision is a commercial decision, however it also said “continued uncertainty” around the UK’s future relationship with the EU was “not helping” it plan for the future.