2nd Letter to Gordon Brown
30th October 2008.
Cadburys relocation to Poland.
Dear Mr Brown,
On 26th January 2008 I sent a letter to you regarding the senseless closure of the 280 year old profitable British Cadbury factory, Somerdale in Keynsham Bristol. Where 98% of all chocolate produced is consumed solely by the British public.
You forwarded my letter to BERR who were unfortunately, at best, disinterested.
As this country stands today, it is now even more important to retain profitable and productive British industries here. I understand the idea of ‘free trade' but also realise that this is one of the factors, due to greed, that has caused the situation we are all horrified to find ourselves in now.
In Great Britain in 2006 Cadburys endangered the health of the British consumer. More than a million bars of chocolate were recalled in the biggest public health alerts of all time. The Cadbury Board pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to breaches of food and safety regulations.
All caused through total lack of investment.
The Cadbury Directors still show themselves to be less than competent, especially when it comes to producing confectionary in certain countries other than Britain.
Recently Cadburys have had to withdraw 11 of their products at the Beijing factory, China after Dairy Milk was found to contain melamine, the chemical in the toxic baby milk scandal.
It is nationally embarrassing to watch this iconic British industry hell bent in the ‘race to the bottom' for the cheapest ingredients and the exploitation of other countries labour and the disrespect shown for consumers' health.
The government may not have the power or direct influence, as such, in the choosing of sponsorship of our London Olympics in 2012 but obviously realises that, due to the economic climate, the BOA (logoc) will be struggling for sponsorship.
Cadburys have announced that they are to be one of the sponsors. However, ALL chocolate production relocated from Bristol to Poland (all by 2010) will have to be transported 1,200 miles back to the Motherland. This will cause immense irreparable damage through emissions and the plundering of resources in transportation alone, a most negative act as Britain fronts up to other countries unwilling to lower their carbon emissions and unnecessary use of precious resources - with Poland found to be one of the worst culprits recently.
Britain wants to be seen world wide as leaders in this area and knows that in the years running up to the London Olympics, and during them, the expectations of Great Britain will be massive. Taking into account the focal point being Great Britain, there will be plenty of countries, and people, who would be more than delighted in catching Great Britain using, ‘double standards' in whatever form it may show itself.
Consumers' health is paramount, whether they are the British public, the wonderful athletes or our valued visitors while they are in Great Britain.
It is such a great honour for Great Britain to be chosen to stage the 2012 Olympics; people have worked tirelessly to achieve this. There is a mega amount of work now to be done to ensure Great Britain uses all its positive influence, in full view, to make the 2012 games the proudest games ever, in all ways.
Money talks, but it is not always speaking a language we need to hear.
As the government are fully aware of the relocation of Cadburys to Poland in 2010 and its damaging implications, the ‘double standards' in condoning the move (in the name of free trade) and the irreparable damage that will be caused is too serious and negative for Britain to be overlooked.
Cadbury jobs and the thousands of indirect jobs that will be lost in Great Britain due to the relocation are not down to the economic downturn.
We have recently seen the Labour government putting into action ‘alternative' methods in trying to soften the blow to Great Britain and prevent a recession. On the back of such actions there is ample opportunity to help retain much needed industries and jobs here, especially at a time when it is of the utmost importance. An extremely hefty tax on companies fleeing Britain, when their sole intention is to return ALL the produce back here, knowingly damaging our environment, could be put into place and help prevent our economy sliding even further into a recession.
I hope you will read this letter with the seriousness that it has been written. I look forward to a positive reply.
Yours sincerely
