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General election: Corbyn says Labour has documents that confirm NHS 'for sale' in US trade talks – live news General election: Corbyn says Labour has documents that confirm NHS 'for sale' in US trade talks – live news
(32 minutes later)
Labour leader says he has obtained 451 pages of unredacted documents that reveal the US is demanding NHS services are part of trade negotiationsLabour leader says he has obtained 451 pages of unredacted documents that reveal the US is demanding NHS services are part of trade negotiations
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It is hard at this point to know quite how significant the Labour NHS trade talks document will turn out to be, but it is easily the most significant leak of the campaign so far. We have had surprise announcements from the parties about policy, and about strategy (eg, the Brexit party standing down in Tory-held seats), but this is a proper news story about stuff that has happened, not stuff that might happen in the future.
Labour will be hoping that this has the potential to be a game-changer. (The charge that the NHS would be “up for sale” in a UK-US trade deal is one that resonates with voters, and alarms them, in a way that many Westminster policy/process stories don’t.) In reality, very few things that happen in election campaigns turn out to be game-changer, but this may turn out to have enough heft to make the grade.
This is what Jeremy Corbyn said about the documents in his opening speech.
And here are some of the specific points he made about what the documents show.
Corbyn said the documents showed that UK and US officials have discussed lengthening the time during which medicine patents apply. He explained:
Corbyn said the documents showed that the two sides were closer to a deal than people expected. He said:
He said the documents showed the US wanted “total market access” in a trade deal - implying health would be included.
Corbyn also said there was no evidence in the documents that the UK had pushed back against this. He went on:
He said the documents showed that British officials said they would be a “liberalising influence”.
This is not surprising because the Tories have always said they would like free trade deals to cover services as well as good.
He said the documents showed that a UK-US trade deal could provide protections for corporations, allowing them to sue governments in some circumstances for losses suffered.
Again, this is not surprising. Provisions like this were included in the proposed US-EU trade deal. My colleague George Monbiot was one of those most critical of these provisions, but trade experts have defended them.
Corbyn said the documents showed the Americans were offering to help the British persuade the public to accept the merits of chlorinated chicken.
He said the documents showed the US favoured a no-deal Brexit.
I will be focusing on the Labour revelations about the UK-US trade talks, and their implications for the NHS, for the next half an hour or more, and will pick up what was said at the SNP manifesto launch later.
But if you want to watch it, there is a live feed here.
This is what Boris Johnson posted on Twitter this morning, less than an hour before the Labour announcement.This is what Boris Johnson posted on Twitter this morning, less than an hour before the Labour announcement.
Here is the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s opening statement about the leaked documents that he says show the NHS is “on the table” in UK-US trade talks.Here is the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s opening statement about the leaked documents that he says show the NHS is “on the table” in UK-US trade talks.
The leaked documents obtained by Labour do not seem to be available online, or in a digital form.The leaked documents obtained by Labour do not seem to be available online, or in a digital form.
Here is some more about what they say from journalists at the press conference who have seen the hard copies.Here is some more about what they say from journalists at the press conference who have seen the hard copies.
Q: Could you clarify if you have evidence that ministers knew the NHS would be up for sale?Q: Could you clarify if you have evidence that ministers knew the NHS would be up for sale?
Gardiner holds up the documents again. He says it does not take six meetings and 500 pages to say the NHS is not for sale. This documentation shows that the answer has been yes.Gardiner holds up the documents again. He says it does not take six meetings and 500 pages to say the NHS is not for sale. This documentation shows that the answer has been yes.
He says he does not think there is any doubt about this.He says he does not think there is any doubt about this.
George Hollingbery, the international trade minister, met with officials to discuss this, he says.George Hollingbery, the international trade minister, met with officials to discuss this, he says.
Q: Would Labour reverse existing privatisations? And what would that cost?Q: Would Labour reverse existing privatisations? And what would that cost?
Corbyn says the Health and Social Care Act encourages more privatisation in the NHS. This has led to private sector companies suing the NHS for contracts they don’t get. He says this is unbelievable. Every penny spent on this is taken away from patients’ needs. He says he wants to reverse that.Corbyn says the Health and Social Care Act encourages more privatisation in the NHS. This has led to private sector companies suing the NHS for contracts they don’t get. He says this is unbelievable. Every penny spent on this is taken away from patients’ needs. He says he wants to reverse that.
He says he wants to bring everyone working for the NHS back into the NHS family. He is determined to “defend and rejuvenate” the NHS.He says he wants to bring everyone working for the NHS back into the NHS family. He is determined to “defend and rejuvenate” the NHS.
Q: It is clear from your interview last night that the claim that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay higher tax under your plan is not true. Will you stop colleagues saying that?Q: It is clear from your interview last night that the claim that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay higher tax under your plan is not true. Will you stop colleagues saying that?
Corbyn says it is clear from Labour’s grey book that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay more in national insurance or tax. (He says tax, but may be referring to income tax.)Corbyn says it is clear from Labour’s grey book that people earning less than £80,000 won’t pay more in national insurance or tax. (He says tax, but may be referring to income tax.)
The press conference is now over.The press conference is now over.
Q: Was Lord Kerslake right to say, in the event of a hung parliament, your leadership would be on the agenda?Q: Was Lord Kerslake right to say, in the event of a hung parliament, your leadership would be on the agenda?
Corbyn says there are no talks with other parties. He is fighting to win it. He is not fighting to form a coalition.Corbyn says there are no talks with other parties. He is fighting to win it. He is not fighting to form a coalition.
Q: Isn’t it the case that the Americans will always want to put everything on the table?Q: Isn’t it the case that the Americans will always want to put everything on the table?
Corbyn says these documents show that the two sides are starting to exchange treaty text. That suggests an agreement is close, he says.Corbyn says these documents show that the two sides are starting to exchange treaty text. That suggests an agreement is close, he says.
He says Labour would not accept investor protection provisions.He says Labour would not accept investor protection provisions.
Gardiner says Labour would not accept ISDS (investor state dispute settlement) provisions, or ICS (investment court system) provisions, a more modern alternative.Gardiner says Labour would not accept ISDS (investor state dispute settlement) provisions, or ICS (investment court system) provisions, a more modern alternative.
He also says Labour would not accept a negative list procedure. This is an arrangement that would mean everything would be open to competition, unless otherwise specified. He says this system does not protect countries from competition in the event of new services coming into existence.He also says Labour would not accept a negative list procedure. This is an arrangement that would mean everything would be open to competition, unless otherwise specified. He says this system does not protect countries from competition in the event of new services coming into existence.
Gardiner says other countries are adopting this approach to trade deals too.Gardiner says other countries are adopting this approach to trade deals too.
Q: Was yesterday the worst day of our campaign so far?Q: Was yesterday the worst day of our campaign so far?
Corbyn says he loves campaigning. Yesterday was another day when he went out to listen to people. He is horrified by what people tell him about inequality.Corbyn says he loves campaigning. Yesterday was another day when he went out to listen to people. He is horrified by what people tell him about inequality.
Jeremy Corbyn is now taking questions.Jeremy Corbyn is now taking questions.
Q: [From Sky] Are you saying any trade deal with the US will be impossible without putting the NHS on the table?Q: [From Sky] Are you saying any trade deal with the US will be impossible without putting the NHS on the table?
Q: [From ITV] Why would any British government do a deal that would make drugs more expensive in the UK? And do you accept President Trump’s claim the NHS will not be on the table?Q: [From ITV] Why would any British government do a deal that would make drugs more expensive in the UK? And do you accept President Trump’s claim the NHS will not be on the table?
Barry Gardiner, the shadow trade minister, answers on trade.Barry Gardiner, the shadow trade minister, answers on trade.
He says there are four ways in which a trade deal can impact on the NHS: through the dispute settlement system; through what gets included; through changes to the patent regime; and through changes to the data regime.He says there are four ways in which a trade deal can impact on the NHS: through the dispute settlement system; through what gets included; through changes to the patent regime; and through changes to the data regime.
Q: [From the BBC] Do you have any evidence that ministers, as opposed to officials, agreed to the NHS being on the table in the talks?Q: [From the BBC] Do you have any evidence that ministers, as opposed to officials, agreed to the NHS being on the table in the talks?
Corbyn says ministers sanctioned these talks, they were aware of the talks, and they declined to publish this information.Corbyn says ministers sanctioned these talks, they were aware of the talks, and they declined to publish this information.
Gardiner says George Hollingbery, a trade minister, was involved.Gardiner says George Hollingbery, a trade minister, was involved.
Q: [From Sky] You did not apologise last night over antisemitism in the Labour party. Is that because you think you have not done anything wrong?Q: [From Sky] You did not apologise last night over antisemitism in the Labour party. Is that because you think you have not done anything wrong?
Q: [From ITV] You say you are on the side of people. Does that include Jewish people?Q: [From ITV] You say you are on the side of people. Does that include Jewish people?
Q: [From the BBC] Do you accept the need to apologise to the Jewish community?Q: [From the BBC] Do you accept the need to apologise to the Jewish community?
Corbyn says antisemitism affects a tiny proportion of the party membership. But one is one too many.Corbyn says antisemitism affects a tiny proportion of the party membership. But one is one too many.
He says he accepts what the chief rabbi said yesterday.He says he accepts what the chief rabbi said yesterday.
But there are many others in the Jewish community who do support Labour, he says.But there are many others in the Jewish community who do support Labour, he says.
He says he is committed to getting rid of the scourge of racism in our society.He says he is committed to getting rid of the scourge of racism in our society.
He says the government he will lead would be the most anti-racist you have ever seen.He says the government he will lead would be the most anti-racist you have ever seen.
At the news conference copies of the documents are now being handed out to journalists.At the news conference copies of the documents are now being handed out to journalists.
Corbyn says it is now up to Boris Johnson to justify his decision to dismiss the Labour claim that the NHS would be on the table as an “invention”.Corbyn says it is now up to Boris Johnson to justify his decision to dismiss the Labour claim that the NHS would be on the table as an “invention”.
Labour will not let this rest, he says.Labour will not let this rest, he says.
Corbyn raises some specific points from the UK-US trade talks.Corbyn raises some specific points from the UK-US trade talks.
He says page 43 shows how the Americans offered to give the British their lines to use to defend chlorinated chicken.He says page 43 shows how the Americans offered to give the British their lines to use to defend chlorinated chicken.
And he says page 17 shows how the Americans refused to allow a mention of climate change in the deal.And he says page 17 shows how the Americans refused to allow a mention of climate change in the deal.
Jeremy Corbyn is speaking now.Jeremy Corbyn is speaking now.
He says, although only redacted documents of the talks between UK and US officials were released in response to a freedom of information request, Labour has now obtained 451 pages of documents about what was discussed.He says, although only redacted documents of the talks between UK and US officials were released in response to a freedom of information request, Labour has now obtained 451 pages of documents about what was discussed.
A Channel 4 Dispatches investigation first revealed these talks.A Channel 4 Dispatches investigation first revealed these talks.
Corbyn brandishes the new documents. He says they leave “Boris Johnson’s denials in absolute tatters”.Corbyn brandishes the new documents. He says they leave “Boris Johnson’s denials in absolute tatters”.
He says these papers show that “the NHS is on the table and will be up for sale” in a UK-US trade deal.He says these papers show that “the NHS is on the table and will be up for sale” in a UK-US trade deal.
There have been six rounds of talks, he says. But he says effectively it is all one negotiation.There have been six rounds of talks, he says. But he says effectively it is all one negotiation.
At the event Labour has just shown a short film featuring Jeremy Corbyn challenging Boris Johnson in the ITV debate last week over private meetings between UK and US officials about including health in a trade deal.At the event Labour has just shown a short film featuring Jeremy Corbyn challenging Boris Johnson in the ITV debate last week over private meetings between UK and US officials about including health in a trade deal.
Jeremy Corbyn is about to give a speech on the NHS at Westminster. There will be a live feed at the top of the blog soon.Jeremy Corbyn is about to give a speech on the NHS at Westminster. There will be a live feed at the top of the blog soon.
Labour has not briefed any of it in advance, and so we don’t know what Corbyn is planning to say.Labour has not briefed any of it in advance, and so we don’t know what Corbyn is planning to say.
Adam Price had more to say about growing up gay in Wales in this BBC Breakfast interview.Adam Price had more to say about growing up gay in Wales in this BBC Breakfast interview.
Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru leader, has urged Boris Johnson to apologise for referring to gay men as “bum boys” in newspaper column in the past. Price has been taking part in a BBC phone-in on BBC News and Radio 5 Live, and he was asked who he would rather have a pint with, Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn. Price, who is gay, replied:Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru leader, has urged Boris Johnson to apologise for referring to gay men as “bum boys” in newspaper column in the past. Price has been taking part in a BBC phone-in on BBC News and Radio 5 Live, and he was asked who he would rather have a pint with, Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn. Price, who is gay, replied:
Johnson was specifically asked about his use of the term “bum boys” in a newspaper column on Question Time on Friday night. Fiona Bruce put it to him that this was one of several examples of his having used racist or homophobic language. Johnson refused to apologise.Johnson was specifically asked about his use of the term “bum boys” in a newspaper column on Question Time on Friday night. Fiona Bruce put it to him that this was one of several examples of his having used racist or homophobic language. Johnson refused to apologise.
Price said that he thought politicians should be willing to apologise, and he said Jeremy Corbyn should also have apologised in his Andrew Neil interview last night for his handling of the antisemitism issue. Price said:Price said that he thought politicians should be willing to apologise, and he said Jeremy Corbyn should also have apologised in his Andrew Neil interview last night for his handling of the antisemitism issue. Price said:
Johnson used the term “bum boys” in a 1998 column about the resignation of Peter Mandelson.Johnson used the term “bum boys” in a 1998 column about the resignation of Peter Mandelson.
In his Today interview Robert Jenrick was also asked about this specific complaint about Islamophobia in the Conservative party. A deputy chair of Stourbridge Conservative association resigned in protest at the attitude taken by fellow Tories when interviewing a Muslim who wanted to stand as a council candidate.In his Today interview Robert Jenrick was also asked about this specific complaint about Islamophobia in the Conservative party. A deputy chair of Stourbridge Conservative association resigned in protest at the attitude taken by fellow Tories when interviewing a Muslim who wanted to stand as a council candidate.
In response to a question about this incident, Jenrick said:In response to a question about this incident, Jenrick said: