Prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Calder Valley Craig Whittaker told the party conference in Birmingham yesterday that more than 6,000 staff "fear for their futures".

"I have been talking to many since the takeover announcement by Lloyds TSB and they feel abandoned by Labour, particularly in light of the apparent deal done to secure jobs in other areas of the UK.

"Many feel this Government has ignored them and their plight, and they're not confident the Government will provide the support they need," said Coun Whittaker.

He told delegates that there was not a family in Calderdale who did not have some connection to the bank.

"Whether it's a family member who works there, a friend who has spent their life in the company or someone whose firm is reliant on the bank indirectly. And there are thousands of firms like that – from the sandwich shops who depend on the trade of passing employees to survive, to the larger firms whose main dealings are now, and have always been, with the bank."

Councillor Whittaker (Rastrick) said they could be sure of support from Calderdale Council.