A coalition of UK civil society organisations sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, raising serious concerns about the lack of democratic oversight and transparency in ongoing negotiations towards a UK-US trade agreement.
Despite the far-reaching implications such a deal would have for our public services, food standards, animal welfare, online safety, tax policy and more, the negotiations have been largely opaque, sidelining Parliament and the public.
With reports suggesting that the UK may make significant concessions under pressure from the US, we believe that robust scrutiny is urgently needed. Parliament must be given the chance to debate and vote on any proposed trade agreement. Trade policy should serve the public interest and not be shaped behind closed doors or pushed through without democratic consent.
Signatories:
- Tom Wills, Director, Trade Justice Movement
- Nick Dearden, Director, Global Justice Now
- Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK
- Liz McKean, Director of Campaigns & Policy, War on Want
- Brendan Costelloe, Director of Policy, Soil Association
- David Bowles, Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs, RSPCA
- David Babbs, Lead Consultant, Clean Up the Internet
- Kierra Box, Campaigner, Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Maeve Walsh, Director, Online Safety Act Network
- Ruth Bergan, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Transform Trade
- Patti Rundall, Policy Director, Baby Milk Action/IBFAN UK
- Louise Davies, Chief Executive, Scottish Fair Trade
- Cat Hobbs, Director, We Own It
- Andy Burrows, CEO, Molly Rose Foundation
- Gabriela de Oliveira, Head of Policy, Research and Campaigns, Glitch
- Aleema Shivji, Interim Executive Director, Tax Justice UK