POLITICAL rivalries are being put to one side in the last-ditch effort to save Hereford’s tax office and its 100 jobs.

The Broadway House base for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will shut soon unless an all-party effort can persuade big bosses in London that its something the city can’t afford to lose.

Hereford MP Paul Keetch meets with with top HMRC officials today to make the case. He is going there with support from both the man looking to succeed him – would-be Tory MP Jesse Norman – and Sarah Carr, the candidate looking to keep the seat for the Lib Dems.

Leominster MP Bill Wiggin also backs the fight, as do several local councillors of all parties.

Herefordshire Council leader Councillor Roger Phillips has even written a report for Whitehall outlining what the closure of the office could mean.

The Hereford branch of the PCS trade union, which represents Broadway House staff, said it had been “absolutely amazed” by not only the cross-party political support but the response of the general public.

The staff themselves have put together a report of their own, showing how the office could stay open with cut costs and better service.