London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert and members of the London Green Party were out in force today to support a national day of action against a new trade deal being negotiated between the European Union and the United States.
If agreed the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could extend the power of multinational corporations to sue national governments. Campaigners argue that the granting of this power to businesses will undermine basic citizen rights and could lead to the erosion of laws designed to safeguard public services and the environment.
Green Party Member of the European Parliament Jean Lambert (pictured above with Young Greens at the TTIP demonstration in London) said:
“When citizens of Europe elect their representatives they expect them to act in the public interest. If they don’t, then they have the right to vote them out at an election. TTIP could completely undermine this very basic principle. If corporations don’t like a law that caps their carbon dioxide emissions or they want to avoid meeting vital workers’ rights just so they can cut costs, they’ll be able to use their financial muscle to take governments to court and have the laws changed to suit their own interests. Where does that leave the public and the ordinary voter?
“Protecting basic human rights and safeguarding the environment is at the heart of Green Party politics. That’s why I am so proud to support this national day of action and I am working hard with my fellow Green MEPs to stand-up to this corporate power-grab and oppose the passage of this deal. Whilst we have been disappointed that the Coalition and opposition Labour Party have given their tacit support to this trade deal, we are hopeful that today’s huge display of opposition will convince them of the urgent need to take a stand and protect the basic rights of the British and European public.”
Today’s national demonstration was organisation by the “NoTTIP” action group, a network of campaigns united in their opposition to the proposed trade deal. The demonstration was timed to take place two days before a new round of negotiations between EU and US representative began.