Scottish Labour is poised to entirely reject the controversial Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTIP), senior sources claim.
Figures close to the top of the party north of the border have told The Courier they expect the big business deal, which would reduce barriers between the EU and US, to be thrown out at the gathering of members in Perth next month.
Such a move would be a massive step further than the one taken by Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale, who yesterday recommitted the party to “protecting the NHS” by signing up to a Unite union campaign calling for action from David Cameron.
She said: “Today I join trade unions, campaigning groups and people the length and breadth of Scotland in calling for David Cameron to veto TTIP unless the NHS is out of its reach.
“We cannot allow a situation where our public healthcare is fair game for private healthcare companies. We must do everything we can to protect the NHS.”
Fears have been raised that the NHS could be forced into being privatised by American companies trying to force the transatlantic way of operating healthcare onto the UK system.
The UK Government has said signing up to the deal will not affect decisions about how the NHS operates at home, and the potential interference with the health service has been the main source of consternation for those uneasy with the complicated legislation, which supporters say could lessen red tape for international businesses.
But, amid growing unease among sections of the left in particular, senior Labour figures are expecting the issue to be raised during the open debate scheduled for the final day of its Scottish conference.
One source said: “People keep talking about Trident, which will almost certainly be selected for debate, but TTIP will be a big issue too. I fully expect conference to oppose TTIP.
“Then it has to go into the pot for the manifesto (for next year’s Holyrood elections).”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “TTIP will not change the fact that it is up to UK governments to decide how UK public services, including the NHS, are run.
“The decision about who provides NHS services will remain firmly with local NHS commissioners.
“It will not threaten UK sovereignty. The EU has made it clear that the freedom of governments to regulate in the public interest will be explicitly protected.
“The Investor-State Dispute Settlement clauses being discussed will not prevent countries taking regulatory action to protect the public or the environment, nor will they overturn or force changes to law.
“It will not limit the UK and EU’s right to set and regulate on protection for workers and will not lower our food standards.”