The Trade Bill currently in the House of Lords gives no protection for our NHS.

Our health service is very much on the table for profit-making US companies and there’s a real risk of spiralling drug prices and privatisation being locked in for years to come.

Privatisation is already happening in our NHS right now, with billions going to private companies every year to provide NHS services.

In July, Caroline Nokes MP voted against an amendment to the Trade Bill, currently in the House of Lords, that would protect our NHS from post-Brexit trade deals.

She also voted against an amendment that would allow MPs to scrutinise trade deals to make sure they work well for our country and the people in it.

Last week, myself, my mum, my sister and her boyfriend stood outside Abbeymead Surgery with signs declaring that we want Romsey to be a US trade deal free zone.

This was part of a day of action called by We Own It, a campaign group trying to protect our NHS.

The four of us are in a household bubble and we were careful to keep our distance from passersby. 

Caroline Nokes MP said that our stunt was “ill-judged”.

We disagree.

We call on her, again, to please stand up for OUR NHS when the Trade Bill returns to the House of Commons, instead of letting it be privatised piece by piece and opening it up to a US trade deal.

At a time of a pandemic that is costing people’s lives, highlighting this issue and asking for our Romsey MP to support us could not be more important.

Yours faithfully

Cat Hobbs
We Own It