Thousands march through Birmingham for Rover

Tens of thousands of people have marched through Birmingham in support of Rover workers, in one of the biggest demonstrations the city has seen for many years.

The march on 1 April was organised by trade unions to protest against BMW's plan to sell the Longbridge car plant to the venture capital firm Alchemy Partners, which is expected to cut thousands of jobs.

A people's march

Workers were joined by their families, friends and supporters from across the region and beyond. Many carried banners and placards calling on BMW and the government to save Longbridge.

The march passed through the city centre, including past the Bull Ring, on its way to a rally in Cannon Hill Park. Speakers at the rally included union leaders, politicians and workers from the plant.

Tony Woodley, the chief motor industry negotiator for the Transport and General Workers' Union, who organised the march, called it a battle for Britain and for British manufacturing.

Why people marched

BMW announced last month that it would sell Rover, which it bought in 1994, after years of heavy losses. It has signed an agreement with Alchemy, but the deal is not yet complete.

Alchemy's plans are expected to involve a much smaller operation, focused on MG sports cars. Unions fear that thousands of jobs could go at Longbridge, and thousands more at suppliers across the region.

Longbridge employs around 9,000 people, and many more jobs depend on it. For many families in the south of the city, the plant has been a way of life for generations.

An alternative bid

There is growing interest in an alternative bid for Rover from a group led by John Towers, a former chief executive of the Rover Group. The group, which has been named the Phoenix consortium, says it would keep volume car production going at Longbridge.

The unions and many local politicians have backed the Phoenix bid, and are urging BMW to consider it seriously. But BMW has so far stuck with Alchemy, and it is not yet clear whether the Phoenix group can raise the money it needs.

Pressure on the government

The march is also aimed at the government, which unions say has not done enough to protect jobs at Longbridge. Ministers have said they are doing all they can, but have limited power to stop the sale.

The Trade and Industry Secretary, Stephen Byers, has faced criticism for his handling of the crisis, and opposition politicians have accused the government of being caught off guard by BMW's decision.

A city united

The size of the march has shown how strongly people in Birmingham feel about Longbridge. Car workers were joined by people from all walks of life, many of whom have no direct link to the plant but understand what it means to the city.

Organisers say the fight will go on until the future of the plant is secure. For the workers, the hope is that the strength of feeling shown on the streets of Birmingham will make a difference.