Shropshire Council will debate a motion opposing TTIP, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, on 23rd July 2015.
Join us in lobbying our Shropshire councillors to back this motion and make Shropshire a TTIP-free zone!
TTIP is a trade deal being negotiated largely in secret between the European Union and USA. It aims to reduce the barriers to trade for big business – such as food safety laws, workers’ rights, safety regulations and environmental legislation. It would further enable corporations to sue national and local governments, if these corporations felt the governments’ actions might affect their profits.
How might TTIP affect us in Shropshire?
- Shropshire Council could be challenged by corporations for denying planning permission.
- Businesses with the financial clout to engage lawyers would be able to challenge decisions made by the local authority on the procurement of goods and services – for example if the Council decided to favour local businesses or ethical products.
- The local authority could be sued for bringing any part of the National Health Service (NHS) back under public control.
- We could expect further deregulation of development control and licensing.
- The City regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, could see its powers reduced, leading to more banking deregulation.
- Even the threat of having to defend themselves against claims is likely to influence the decision-making of the town and county councils, encouraging them to lean towards the interests of big business.
- By reducing the Council’s ability to control local affairs, this trade deal would undermine our democratic system.
You can find out more about TTIP by following the links below:
What is TTIP? The Independent article.
TTIP: a threat to democracy, standards and jobs. Global Justice Now briefing.
If you are worried about the effect that TTIP would have on our services and democracy in Shropshire, please contact your local county councillor to tell them this and to urge them to support the motion opposing TTIP. An email or a letter would be great, but even better if you could meet your councillor in person!
Contact details for your Shropshire councillor can be found by clicking here.
If you have any questions about the motion against TTIP, or if you would like to find out more about Global Justice Now, please email: shropshire@globaljustice.org.uk.
