Thread by @Annaisaac

So, now the media circus has largely moved out of town, feels like a good time for a thread on Brexit, Swindon, and just how big a hit losing Honda will be. 1/

I know the town, and I was sent to cover the story not of the wider car industry in the UK, but those of the people affected by the job losses. Many voted leave. And guess what: not a single leaver I encountered would change that vote, job loss or no. 2/

One woman whose husband works for a local supplier said she realised that Brexit was a factor in the decision from Honda. But it was about a grander principle than jobs for her family - "For me it was a case of being independent and looking after our own people first." 3/

Remember this is about many more than 3,500 jobs, she added. Times that by four. @unitesouthwest is doing a scoping exercise on just how many jobs might be affected in the long run. 4/

Many Honda workers have just taken out mortgages, costly car finance or planned weddings. I spoke to one person who, in tears, told me how she had had to cancel the wedding dress she'd ordered last week. She "felt sick" about the payment plan when facing being laid off 5/

The Honda closure isn't about people in the town not being able to get jobs again - it's about not being able to get jobs which are that good, that highly skilled again. And there's increased fears about the second car-maker in town, BMW 6/

It makes parts for the Mini and sends them over to BMW's Cowley plant. The boss of the German carmaker has said he will move production out of the UK in the event of no-deal, to the Netherlands. That would be another major blow to the wider area. 7/

While @CllrDavidRenard was adamant that Honda quitting Swindon was nothing to do with Brexit (and few would argue other factors such as growing demand outside of EU, trade ags aren't in play), he acknowledged that BMW leaving could be a different matter 8/

He hit out at what he regarded as the MPs acting in their own interests to either thwart Brexit, or hold up Theresa May's deal: “I’m frustrated that MPs on all sides have decided to put their own interest ahead of the national interest.” Many Remain-voters in the town agreed. 9/

Whatever else happens, workers at the Stratton plant have little hope that there will be a rescue or a change of heart for Honda. Some rumours are circulating that BMW could snap up the plant. But given wider pressures on car makers this might be too hopeful. 10/

You can be sure of one thing, though - where there's tough times ahead in a town some spy opportunities. The local pawnbrokers are taking on new staff. And the @CitizensAdvice in Swindon is getting ready to help. 11/

Claire Newport of @CitizensAdvice Swindon, based at the Sanford House Centre (citizensadviceswindon.org.uk/sanford-house/ - which also hosts @MindCharity) said: "People should not wait. If they've got debt, benefits or housing problems, comes to us early, don't put this off." 12/

Last but not least: the most striking thing about talking to people was how many - irrespective of how they voted in the referendum - aggressively volunteered the line: "Swindon is a strong community, we will get through this". 13/ENDS

Full feature here: telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/…