This in from Mike Starke, in his own words. Guest articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed
Privatisation of our NHS by faceless foreign giant corporations for profit will be an inevitable consequence of a new trade treaty being thrashed out in secret by the United States and EU governments – including our own.
If this sinister deal, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) – is signed, no public service will be safe from these predatory profiteers, as it will be illegal for governments to stop them snapping up lucrative privatisation contracts.
Other targets
Another TTIP target is our cherished food safety regime and other standards suppliers currently have to meet to safeguard public health.
Gone will be many restrictions on toxic chemicals.
Even the minimal new regulations to stop the banks plunging us into another round of economic chaos will be scrapped, as they are seen as “barriers” to the relentless pursuit of profit.
Democratic national sovereignty under threat
Minimum wages and other working people’s rights are also in the TTIP’s sights and if elected governments dare to pass laws in all these areas that the profiteers disapprove of, they will be sued for billions of pounds by “tribunals” stuffed with specialist lawyers from the corporations concerned.
So even democratic national sovereignty, the very fabric of a civilised society, is under fire.
Digital privacy laws would also be swept away, opening up everyone’s personal details for use by companies half a world away, whether they like it or not.
Join others in Ryde and Newport on Saturday
It’s not too late to stop this doomsday scenario unfolding. Many politicians of all parties, plus experts in economics and other fields, have joined together to stop it.
Tomorrow (Saturday) concerned Islanders will be joining thousands of campaigners nationwide, co-ordinated by the nationally-respected 38 Degrees lobbying group, to campaign and explain TTIP.
They will be on hand in Union Street, Ryde, from 9.45am and St James’s Square, Newport, from 11am with more information to warn how TTIP is hell-bent on destroying many of our most cherished freedoms and institutions – including the NHS.
