Press Release 37

Date: 9th October 1998

Subject: Special General Meeting (SGM) to prevent the takeover of Birmingham Midshires Building Society by Halifax plc

Storyline: All 3 of Wolverhampton's MPs make a special appeal to the people of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands to support the campaign for an extra SGM to allow the membership of the Birmingham Midshires to choose from a wide range of options for the future of their society. They are: Jenny Jones MP Labour, Wolverhampton South West Ken Purchase MP Labour & Cooperative, Wolverhampton North East. Dennis Turner MP, Labour & Cooperative, Wolverhampton South East. The MPs say; 'We are 29 endorsements away from holding the Special General Meeting needed to allow members the democratic right to vote on a number of different matters. The members can then decide what they want to choose." "Not allowing a full choice for members is liftie short of a scandal!

We would make a special appeal to the people of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands who are members of Birmingham Midshires Building Society to contact Bob Goodall immediately to endorse 7 very important resolutions that will help determine the future of the society." Note to the Editor-Midshires head office is situated in the constituency of Ken Purchase MP. As well as the concern over the loss of another Mutual building society if Halifax takes over there is also the prospect of significant job losses. Both Ken Purchase MP and Dennis Turner MP are members of Birmingham Midshires. 2) To date we have the endorsements of 71 Midshires members for some or all of our resolutions. To hold a SGM we need the endorsement of 100 members. 3) We do not know what deadline we are working to as Midshires refuse to tell us. 4) Another SGM is necessary because Midshires refuse to include our resolutions in their SGM. 5) Our SGM is scheduled for 10th December 1998. The board of Midshires intend to hold their SGM on 11th December 1998. SOBS make a particular appeal to Mortgage customers of Birmingham Midshires to support the call for the SGM "Mortgage customers should be under no illusion! Who will be paying the dividends year in year out for millions of new shareholders if Midshires disappears? It will be them!!" "People will be paying hundreds of pounds extra a year for the entire duration of their mortgage to pay shareholders. Share are not purchased for charitable reasons. The motive is to make as much money out of them as possible." Says Bob Goodall. Note to the editor 2 Midshires customers can obtain a copy of the Resolutions to endorse, by telephoning Bob Goodall on 01727 847370. The Resolutions can also be downloaded from our Website. As always both numbers can be published or broadcast at any time.

How people can help the SOBS campaign: Anyone wishing to help should write to Bob Goodall at "Save Our Building Societies", 8 Belmont Court, Belmont Hill, St Albans, Herts AL1 RB or telephone him on 01727 847370 (24hrs)

Press Release by Bob Goodall Tel 01727 84737
Coordinator "Save Our Building Societies" campaign