As Donald Trump prepares to announce a UK–US trade deal from the Oval Office, sixteen leading civil society organisations have written to the Prime Minister condemning the government’s refusal to grant Parliament a say.
The letter warns that the negotiation process has been marked by secrecy and a lack of democratic oversight, despite serious concerns about the deal’s potential impact on digital regulation, public health, animal welfare and taxation.
Tom Wills, Director of the Trade Justice Movement, said:
“Whatever is in this deal, it’s disgraceful that the first MPs will hear of it is when Trump announces it in the Oval Office. Labour came into power promising to give MPs a vote on our trade agreements. In pushing this deal through without parliamentary scrutiny, Starmer shows disdain for our democracy.”
Trump is an authoritarian bully seeking to further the interests of the oligarchs who support him. He uses tariffs as a threat. This isn’t a trade deal in any traditional sense, it’s a protection racket. We should not play into his hands.”
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
