Bradford MP George Gallowy has condemned Thomas Cook’s decision to shut its Bradford operations centre as “disgraceful”.
However, Galloway blamed Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne as “the real people responsible”.
Thomas Cook announced the closure of its Bradford office last week with the loss of 468 jobs. Galloway, elected MP in a recent by-election, said: “Once more we see a company put profit before people.
“There has been no consultation, just P45s all around. It’s disgraceful.”
However, the Respect MP said: “Cook has suffered through this shameful government’s austerity programme. The company needs growth. not retraction like this.”
Galloway called on Thomas Cook to meet local MPs and unions “even at this late stage” to try to save the jobs.
He said: “We need urgent action from the government to save these jobs and to grow the economy rather than stifle it.
“I challenge David Cameron and George Osborne, the people ultimately responsible for this tragedy, to come here to face the people and tell them why job losses are helping.”
Respect held its annual conference in Bradford on Saturday. The party won five council seats in the city in local elections in May.
Bradford city council, which has set aside £8 million from reserves to tackle unemployment in the city, said last week the money could be used to aid Thomas Cook staff facing redundancy.