Kirk backs RAF Linton-on-Ouse fight

4.43.52pm GMT Fri 4th Dec 2009

Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for York Outer, Madeleine Kirk, is backing the campaign to save the RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse. Speaking out in support of the base at a meeting of City of York Council last night, Madeleine Kirk said:

"When I first came to York we lived in the village of Skelton. Within a very short time we realised that many of our neighbours were either in the RAF or worked at the base; and as time went on many of those personnel retired but found that they were able to use their skills by taking up civilian roles at the base such as aircraft engineers and remain a part of the community. We were left in no doubt that RAF Linton-on-Ouse is so much part of this area - it's almost impossible to exaggerate what a significant institution it is.

"It's a major employer with, according to its website, almost 900 personnel and the loss of those jobs would have a huge impact on the local economy.

"But it's not just those jobs and the loss of £25million to the local economy.

"For every uniformed man or woman on the base, there are potentially a further three jobs in the economy in and around York. Its closure would be devastating for all those who are employed there or whose livelihood depends upon the business the base generates.

"Closing the station would be an astonishing decision when you consider it is one of the busiest airfields in the country.

"The impact on this area and its economy if the base closes would be immense and every opportunity should be taken to resist any such proposal."