THE FURY OF THE WORKERS

AS STAFF arrived at the giant plant yesterday, one resident summed up the fears of many following Honda’s decision to desert Swindon.

Stunned by the announcement, 68year-old pensioner Mary Day said: ‘It is going to be a disaster for the town. I didn’t see it coming. None of us did.’

The Japanese car giant is the biggest employer in this south western town of 180,000 people, which grew up in the 19th century thanks to a booming railway works industry. Residents in the town, which voted 55 per cent to leave in the 2016 referendum, said they did not believe that Brexit had nothing to do with Honda’s decision.

Jason Foster, a 46-year-old local government employee, said: ‘I think it’s coming down to Brexit and they’re not admitting it. I think it’s the uncertainty.’ Generations of residents have worked for Honda. Mike James, 79, said he had helped to build the plant and now fears for the future of workers in Swindon.

‘A lot of people are going to have to tighten their belts because there’s no money coming in – very few people could match the wages that Honda pays – even if you do get a job tomorrow you’ll still find it very hard to pay your bills.’ Staff were furious the announcement had been leaked to the media on Monday. One worker, who just gave his name as Jason, said: ‘Eighteen years I’ve worked here. I found out on television this morning that I was losing my job.’

A wave of Japanese car-makers came to Britain in the 1980s, drawn by the business-friendly environment under Margaret Thatcher and access to European markets. The Swindon plant, a former aircraft factory that once made Spitfires, began production in 1989.