Tanks for nothing

Another week, another cutting-edge Leicester business being threatened with closure thanks to the Government.

Today, we revealed the BAE Systems site in Braunstone Frith, which employs 300 people, could be put in jeopardy if the defence contractor does not win a £4bn contract to create 1,300 hi-tech tanks for the British Army.

The site is renowned for its development of military equipment, but its future would be put in doubt if the contract is given to US rival General Dynamics, which, according to the national press, it will be. The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment.

Managers and staff at the site responded angrily to the reports, which are thought to be based on a well placed leak in either the Government or military.

This latest example of Government action threatening skilled Leicester jobs has once again sent an election-conscious Labour politician ducking for cover. Last week, Leicester South MP Sir Peter Soulsby failed to respond to my request for a comment on the H Beesley story (see below), despite it effecting a business in his constituency.

Today, Labour's parlimentary candidate for Leicester West, Liz Kendall, has not responded to my email and no one was answering the telephone at her office (the answer machine did not appear to be taking messages and there is no mobile phone number on her website). The factory is based in this constituency.

Current Leicester West Labour MP Patricia Hewitt has urged the MoD to reverse its decision. But these are rather shallow words when they come from someone who is about to retire from Parliament.

Whether Liz or any of her staff will call back tomorrow, we'll see. But with an announcement on the tank contract due in the next few days, events may overtake - or should that be roll straight over - her.

(In the interest of political balance, I must say I've also not yet received a response from the Conservative candidate for Leicester West, Celia Harvey, who I understand is an officer the Territorial Army).