LEICESTER: Mike Leonard, director of the Modern Masonry Alliance and co-founder of the Get Britain Building campaign, is urging UK builders' merchants to start talking to their MPs and local party representatives.

"This year will see the election of more new MPs than ever before," he pointed out. "It's a unique opportunity to merchants to contact their MP or regional candidates and to put the case for Get Britain Building," he explained.

"Get Britain Building is the UK's biggest coalition of companies and organisations associated with the built environment.

"As a direct result of the current economic downturn, our industry is under major threat with factories closing, skilled workers leaving the industry and companies going out of business," said Mr Leonard.

"We forecasted 450 000 job losses by the end of 2009 for our sector, which is a national disgrace that the media and the Government pay scant regard to.

"If this situation is not addressed we will lose the capacity and skills we need to meet the needs of our community in the future. That is why we are calling on the Government to put building at the very heart of the recovery agenda."

On a basic level, Mr Leonard stated, "everyone needs a home and a job and that is what the campaign behind Get Britain Building stands for – building homes and creating industry jobs.

"The General Election will be a three-horse race. While the Lib Dems will not be able to win the election, they will have an opportunity to influence government as never before."

Builders' Merchants News will publish the first 12 pictures of UK builders' merchants who manage to secure a visit by their local MP or prospective party candidates and who manage to put the case for Get Britain Building.

The first 12 photographs sent to Builders' Merchants News between now and 6 May will be published in the May edition of the magazine. Send to bmn@hgluk.com.