Action Briefing Apr 2003 - May 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

GATS In My Belfry

So, what is Birmingham FoE going to do to add its voice to the millions of individuals and thousands of organisations who are objecting to GATS? Galvanising objections to GATS is pretty straightforward as a brief explanation of its implications for democracy and local control is usually enough to generate alarm and action.

In other areas of the country this has been proven as local councils have passed motions to reject GATS proposals. Twenty-three local authorities have now done this, including Manchester, and many more are still considering the issue. The Local Government International Bureau and the Local Government Association, Unison and various other unions have all made critical responses to the GATS consultation. Two years ago 262 MPs - that’s OVER HALF of Parliament - signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for an independent assessment of the implications of GATS. I am still a little naive about parliamentary goings on and thought that this kind of show of concern would lead to further discussions in the House of Commons. But I’m told this is not so. Did you think you lived in a democracy?

We will be arranging meetings with representatives of the City Council and other bodies to explain to them the potential effects of GATS. The deadline for the European Union to make their proposals for services to be offered was to be 31st March, but even as I write a delay looks likely - there is still time to defeat GATS.

Karen Leach

TAKE ACTION
Please, if you are seeing your MP, Councillor or other relevant representative, mention GATS to them. We have information (leaflets, briefings, web addresses and so on) which you can collect from the Warehouse if you call us beforehand. Even if you don’t feel you have a full grasp of the issue (I don’t think anyone does to be honest) it is still valid to mention that given the concern of so many other local authorities and unions you feel it should be brought to their intention.

If you ARE a councillor or MP (and they do receive our briefings!) please read the submissions on GATS concerns, including many from other local authorities, (including one from the UK’s Third City, Manchester!) at www.wdm.org.uk/action/ukconsult2.htm