Call to spare MOD Stafford from cuts

Lib Dem councillors in Stafford have made a direct plea to a Government minister urging him to spare MOD Stafford in the forthcoming cuts to the armed forces.

Members of the Stafford branch of the Lib Dems have sent a letter to Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey, who is also a Lib Dem, warning of the impact any reductions at MOD Stafford could have on the wider economy of Stafford.

The letter has been sent as the Government presses ahead with the Strategic Defence and Security Review, which could lead to a significant reduction in Britain's armed forces.

Now the local branch of the party is hoping its links with a Government minister through the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition could prevent cuts affecting Stafford.

The letter sent by Stafford Lib Dems says: "We understand the very difficult economic situation has to be most effectively managed and resolved in the shortest possible time and we have locally defended the coalition's approach.

"However, if there were to be reductions in the role at MOD Stafford this would obviously impact on local employment and the local economy."

Stafford is heavily dependent on the public sector with between 48 per cent and 52 per cent of all jobs held in the public sector.

This has raised fears the town could be hit severely by widespread cuts by the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition as it looks to reduce the budget deficit of the whole country.

The letter added: "The local Liberal Democrat Party urges that defence review carefully considers the total economic effect on Stafford when it comes to making hard decisions in the next three months."

Councillor David Seary, Lib Dem councillor for the Forebridge ward at Stafford Borough Council said: "It is a new experience to be able to directly contact Secretary of States and

Ministers from our own party, who are in the most influential positions and, frankly, after all these years, it has taken some getting used to. However, it is an opportunity afforded to us by the coalition and is something we will use as much as possible."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it was speculation to talk about what might be in the defence review adding: "The review will ensure the resources for our armed forces are matched to our foreign policy requirements so that they have what they need to do what we ask of them, and that the defence budget is spent as efficiently, effectively and economically as possible. There will inevitably be reductions in some areas in order to enhance others."