Portman exiles take battle online

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated:

 

Campaigners fighting for 500 members expelled by Portman have promised the building society a stormy AGM on Friday.The 500 were thrown out in January for backing a vote on converting Portman to a bank.

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Though many of the former members are carpetbaggers, the expulsions have angered a wider section of members who believe the society is stripping them of the right to express their views. Now campaigners have turned to the internet to gather support, and have launched a website which outlines their aims and features a discussion forum.

Action group member and Portman account holder Rebecca Wakeling, 24, says: 'The internet is the next move forward. We have already attracted a lot of support.'

Mother-of-two Rebecca, from Ouston, County Durham, adds:'A mutual is run for its members and must listen to them. I am not a carpetbagger, but I am concerned that Portman has overlooked its founding principles.'

Portman, however, is standing firm against allowing members back unless they waive their right to windfalls. A spokesman for the building society says: 'If they genuinely support the principle of mutuality they can rejoin with all the same benefits as before, while agreeing to sign over any windfall payments to charity for the next five years.'

Portman, which has 1.4 million members, says any expelled members who are unhappy with the situation should contact the Building Societies Ombudsman after the internal complaints process has been completed.

The Portman Members Action Group can be found at http://www.pmag.co.uk

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