A new poll from Survation shows that support for the coalition in Derby has derailed following Bombardiers' failure to secure the coveted Thameslink contract.
The six billion pound contract to build 1,200 new carriages was awarded to a consortium headed by the German firm Siemens. The decision has sparked outrage in the area with many people questioning the government's commitment to British industry and British jobs.
The survey found that 97% of people interviewed in Derby were aware of the Thameslink contract. More concerning for the government was the fact the 87% of people felt that the government did not act in the interests of Britain when awarding the contract to Siemens. It was also found that many people in Derby felt that the government has no loyalty to Derby, no commitment to British industry and that they were 'out of touch' with working class people.
The government has already faced pressure from Unite and opposition politicians to review the decision but Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond has already ruled this out. Bombardier's Derby site is the UK's last remaining train factory, currently employing 3,000 staff. However with several contracts nearing their end and the Thameslink deal going elsewhere the firm looks set to half its workforce. According to the Conservative leader of Derby Council, it has been estimated that the loss of the contract could cost the local economy as much as £200 million.
With this in mind it is not surprising that support for the government is waning in two key marginals in the area. According to the poll, Labour have benefitted in both the Derby North and the Derbyshire South constituencies, with both coalition partners suffering.
Derby North was a three way marginal in 2010 which Labour narrowly won but the fallout from the Thameslink contract would see them easily holding this at the moment. The 13.4% swing is far more than current national polling would suggest, although in this constituency the major collapse of the Liberal Democrat vote is clearly helping Labour.
Derby North | |||
| 2010 | Poll | +/- |
Labour | 33.0% | 51.1% | +18.1% |
Conservatives | 31.7% | 23.0% | -8.7% |
Liberal Democrats | 28.0% | 10.7% | -17.3% |
BNP | 4.4% | 9.5% | +5.1% |
UKIP | 1.8% | 2.1% | +0.3% |
Others | 1.0% | 3.8% | +2.8% |
In Derbyshire South the swing is more direct between Labour and the Conservatives but it's still staggering. The poll suggests that there has been a Con>Lab swing of 14.1%, which would see Labour comfortably reclaim the seat having lost it to the Tories at the last General Election.
Derbyshire South | |||
| 2010 | Poll | +/- |
Labour | 31.4% | 45.9% | +14.5% |
Conservatives | 45.5% | 31.9% | -13.6% |
Liberal Democrats | 15.9% | 9.1% | -6.8% |
BNP | 4.3% | 1.3% | -3.0% |
UKIP | 2.4% | 0.1% | -2.3% |
Others | 0.5% | 11.8% | +11.3% |
Though it is clear to see that Labour have gained a good share of the coalition vote the poll also suggests that, in North Derby at least, the BNP have also seen an increase in support. Although this is not mirrored in Derbyshire South responses for 'Another Party' are included in 'Other' figure and could be evidence of a 'shy' BNP vote in the more rural of the two constituencies.
Something we can be sure of is that confidence in the Government within the Derby area has suffered as a result of the Thameslink decision. It will be interesting to see whether the Government sticks to its guns or whether they decide to review the contract.
Kayleigh Lewis
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