“KEEP YOUR PROMISE” City Lib Dems tell Prime Minister over satellite factory

Lib Dem MP candidate Charlie Murphy and City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt have written to the Prime Minister urging him to keep his promise on defence in Portsmouth.

The Government is set to decide between Portsmouth-based Airbus and the American giant Lockheed Martin for a £2.4 billion contract to make the next phase of the UK’s most secure military communications system.

But the Skynet satellite contract is in jeopardy, with the Ministry of Defence reportedly preferring the American company for the work.

In a joint letter, Cllr Steve Pitt and Charlie Murphy urged the PM not to overlook Portsmouth. Their letter said:

“It is deeply alarming to hear of a delay to your Governments decision on its military satellite contract, and it is shocking that work may be taken from Airbus in Portsmouth at the cost of up to 1,000 jobs, and a further 1,000 in the supply chain.”

“The alternative to these 2,000 jobs around Portsmouth is a promise of 500 jobs in Durham in the north of England.”

“Don’t overlook Portsmouth as you seek to invest in the north.”

The pair also called upon the Prime Minister to step in and back the UK’s ability to manufacture for defence independently, without influence from US President Donald Trump. Their letter said:

“The alternative bid is also led by an American defence giant, close to the US administration of Donald Trump, a partner proven to be volatile and unreliable.”

“Handing the contract for our military satellites to a US prime contractor risks undermining your reindustrialisation agenda, Britain’s sovereignty and our defence industrial base.”

“Will you step in and assure the city that your Defence Secretary will make the right decision for Portsmouth, and the right decision for our national security?”

“Prime Minister – please keep your promise to the people of Portsmouth and support our defence industry.”

Liberal Democrat MP candidate for Portsmouth South and Southsea Charlie Murphy said:

“The Prime Minister has to step in. He came to Portsmouth and promised opportunities for our city on defence reindustrialisation.

Two months later, his Government is looking to snatch around 2,000 jobs from our area and hand a sensitive contract to an American company.

He cannot sell Portsmouth down the river for 500 jobs in the north. He must keep his promise to our city.”

The Liberal Democrats have published their letter and invited local people to sign it. You can sign their letter at www.portsmouthlibdems.org.uk/airbus