MEPs voted to pass the TTIP resolution, which gives the green light for the continuing negotiations with Bildeberger.

We’ve an action packed update for you as the strongest trade campaign we’ve ever seen continues to build. The secret US-EU trade deal, TTIP (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), threatens to undermine regulations which protect society and the environment, lock in and expand privatisation, and open Europe up to litigation from big business in a corporate court system.

A much anticipated and controversial vote on TTIP has just been held at the European Parliament. I’m writing to you from Strasbourg, where the result has just come through.Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted to pass the resolution, which gives the green light to the continuing negotiations. However, the vote, which passed by 436 to 241, highlighted serious splits in the European Parliament (EP) on the issue.

The vote took place at the second time of asking: it was originally scheduled to take place in June, but was controversially postponed at the last minute at the request of EP President Martin Schulz, due to fears that the vote would be lost.

War on Want Executive Director John Hilary said: “More than 2.3 million people across Europe are  calling for an end to TTIP negotiations in the biggest trade campaign we've seen to date. Yet MEPs have chosen to ignore the wishes of their own constituents, siding instead with the business lobby against the people of Europe.

 “TTIP offers a nightmare vision of a world sold into corporate slavery. If our elected representatives betray us by backing this vision, we will have no choice but to escalate the campaign.”You can read more on our new website
In the last few weeks we've continued taking our No TTIP message around the country, including getting muddy with the festival-goers at Glastonbury - hundreds of whom signed up to the campaign.


Last week famous artists from the world of film and fashion launched Artists Against TTIP. The group are united in their opposition to the toxic trade deal. Among them are director Mike Leigh, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, actors Mark Rylance, Helen McCrory, Sam West and David Morrissey.

For a full list of who's involved and why, check out the group's website here, where you can see their video (published by the Guardian). Click here to read an article on the group and some of the wider issues around TTIP by Ben Goldsmith in the London Evening Standard.

Thanks to everyone who has got behind this incredible campaign. The public profile and increased pressure is making our MEPs think twice, and ensuring this deal isn't rubber stamped behind closed doors. We’ve only been able to do so much because of the astonishing public support from people like you.
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