Before making his way to the election count on Friday afternoon,
Andrew Turner met with representatives from the Isle of Wight County Association of Trade Union Councils to discuss the impending closure of Newport based wind turbine manufacturers, Vestas and the loss of over 500 jobs.
Andrew Turner tells us that he was disappointed to hear that local organisations against the closure of the factory had not been included in key meetings about the future of the factory.
Despite already having had discussions himself with the Minister for Energy & Climate Change, Mike O’Brien, and Jonathan Shaw, the Minister for the South East, Mr Turner is now taking the matter higher and will be writing to Lord Mandelson, insisting that he travel to Denmark to meet Vestas Chief Executive Officer, Ditley Engel.
Mr Turner believes that Lord Mandleson should be re-iterating the Government’s commitment to renewable, green energy sources.
We also understand that Mr Turner will be questioning the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to see what steps it is taking to prevent the closure of the cutting-edge factory in Newport.
The TC Association, who Mr Turner met with, represents 8,000 workers across the Island said that MP Andrew Turner has been the first person to listen to their fears about the future of manufacturing on the Island.
We’ll bring you more news as we get it.
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