Global Justice Manchester

Manchester

Trade Democracy in the Sunshine

by

Saturday 14th. April found us at Chorlton & Whalley Range Big Green Happening- this year moved to the Carlton Club in Whalley Ra. The sun shone and folk came along who were quite amenable to conversations and sympathetic to our campaigns.

Primarily we sought signed cards to MPs to support Caroline Lucas’ NC3 amendment to the Trade Bill (which will save dozens of specific campaigns tackling individual bilateral trade deals). This harvested 49 cards.

 

pic1

Brian Candeland, Green Party

Candidate for the Chorlton Park Ward

on Manchester City Council

realizes the link between trade and

environment.

 

As a follow-up we also asked people to sign War on Want’s trade card which asked MPs to take up the issue of trade democracy with the government. (This brought a further 32 cards.)

pic3r pic2r

Liz Howard, Minnie Mouse and Manchester Friends of the Earth demand Trade Democracy!

Secondarily we promoted the GJN Pharma campaign gaining 17 cards.

Two people went out of their way to sign up for updates and contact from Global Justice Manchester and we gave away some briefings, posters, complementary back copies of 99 and badges.

pic4r

Jess Mayo, emailing her MP.

We met a number of old campaigning friends, allies and acquaintances. These included Jess Mayo, Green Candidate for Manchester Gorton in the 2017 General Election. She objected to using a paper card but took action there and then. She emailed her MP, Kate Green to thank her for co-sponsoring the amendment saying “Credit where credit is due”.

We’ve ordered more materials for the May Day/ TUC 150th. Anniversary event at the Mechanics Institute in a fortnight’s time. But time is short and the issue is critical so we can’t be complacent. The government may feel the Syria crisis provides good opportunities to push through their Bill whilst the media and attention is focused on something more spectacular. The cards should be on MPs desks by the end of this week. Let’s get some more!

Steph. Pennells,

GJ Manchester

Two more members receive letters from their MPs about the Trade Bill Amendment

by

Afzal01upload800px-Official_portrait_of_Kate_Green_crop_2

I wrote to my MP, Kate Green (Lab, Stretford & Urmston) expressing concern about the Trade Bill going through Parliament; namely the lack of accountability to Parliament in this Bill and any future trade deals following Brexit. So-called ‘Henry VIII’ powers would be used by government ministers to rush through trade agreements and alterations to EU laws without parliamentary debate and scrutiny.

Ms Green assured me that she herself was a sponsor of an amendment (NC3) aimed to ensure this did not happen.

She goes as far as to say that MPs should have access to the negotiating texts of international trade agreements as they are formulated. And that all documents relating to trade negotiations should be listed on the parliamentary website, as they are in other European parliaments.

I find this very encouraging, and am certain that my MP is strong advocate of the very position taken on these matters by GMTAN.

Brian Hepworth

 

Afzal Khan (Labour, Gorton) however, despite having been lobbied in Parliament and given us a photos at the Trade Bill Takedown had to be chivied to reply to a request to co-sponsor the amendment.

He responded:

“…This is something that we have been pressing on the Government since the bill received its second reading in parliament on the 9th of January.

I am pleased that New Clause 3 has been tabled now prior to Report Stage of the Bill and replicated many of the amendments that and my Labour colleagues tabled at the committee stage. If it is one of the amendments selected at Report Stage by the Speaker then I will be supporting it.

I was disappointed that the Government’s Trade Bill did not include such measures when it was introduced to the House of Commons, and that is why I opposed it at Second Reading. I was further disappointed that at Committee Stage the Government voted down Opposition amendments that would have precisely ensured proper oversight by Parliament. As a front bench spokesperson I am unable to sign Early Day Motions. However, I will continue to press for proper transparency and scrutiny of trade deals both in the Trade Bill and when the Government sets out its policy on future trade deals thereafter. …”

Stephen Pennells, GJ Manc.

If you have been in contact with your MP, on this or any other Global Justice Now campaign, please let us know so that we can publish their response.

Picture of Kate Green: Jeff Smith by Chris McAndrew CC-BY-3.0

Picture of Afzal Khan: Stephen Pennells, Global Justice Manchester CC-BY-4.0