Alan Johnson has now replied to my email on TTIP. I have put the letter below, but here are a couple of points:

My first reaction on reading the letter was “and if not?”

Johnson seems to share concerns “about the impact that TTIP could have on public services – particularly the NHS.” He believes “the NHS should be exempt from the agreement and that the Government should now push for this exemption.”

And if not, Alan, what will you, the two Eds, Harriet and all your mates actually do?

He seems to share concerns that TTIP wants foreign investors to have the right to sue sovereign governments before ad hoc tribunals for loss of profits resulting from public policy decisions. “I believe”, he says, “that governments should be able to legislate in the public interest and that this should be protected in any dispute resolution mechanisms.”

And if not?

Johnson also says, “It is … crucial … that the benefits of TTIP filter down to employees, small businesses and consumers …” – what’s it mean, “filter down”? It is apparently also crucial “that the deal is open and accountable …” “Open and accountable” is usually just jargon. It goes with (I’m surprised he didn’t use it) “transparent”. Once you’ve seen that word you know it’s going to be as opaque as can be. And remember, of course, that the negotiations are being held in secret, so that’s already a blow to openness, accountability and transparency. They’ve clearly started as they mean to go on, but he didn’t mention that.

But anyway – just in case I’m being too suspicious-minded – let me ask of these pious wishes too: and if not?

I think the answer is “If not – we won’t do anything.” After all he begins the letter by saying, “I support the principles behind TTIP – the free trade agreement that is currently being negotiated between the USA and the EU.” And he supports them because the EU and the USA “are, of course, the UK’s two largest markets …” It’s the market that’s crucial. That’s why the rest of the sentence isn’t worth the e-space it’s typed on, the bit about the benefits of TTIP (“removing trade barriers, boosting growth and creating jobs”). Because all promises of benefits – especially the creation of jobs – will be broken if market considerations dictate. Likewise any promise that  governments will “be able to legislate in the public interest” without getting stamped on – sorry, taken to a tribunal!

He promises at the end of the letter to “continue to follow this issue closely”.

Us too, Alan.

Anyway, here’s the letter:

“Dear Mr Mouncer,

Thank you for your email and apologies that you did not receive a response to your original email, this was an oversight on my part.

Let me start by saying that I support the principles behind TTIP – the free trade agreement that is currently being negotiated between the USA and the EU. These are, of course, the UK’s two largest markets and I believe that TTIP has the potential to bring significant benefits, including removing trade barriers, boosting growth and creating jobs.

It is also crucial, though, that the benefits of TTIP filter down to employees, small businesses and consumers, that the deal is open and accountable and that it raises or at least maintains labour, consumer, environmental and safety standards.

I also share the concerns that many constituents have raised about the impact that TTIP could have on public services – particularly the NHS. I believe that the NHS and public services need to be more, not less, integrated and I am concerned at the worrying fragmentation of health services that is taking place under this Government. That is why I believe that the NHS should be exempt from the agreement and that the Government should now push for this exemption.

I know that there is also considerable concern about the proposed inclusion of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions in the TTIP deal. I believe that governments should be able to legislate in the public interest and that this should be protected in any dispute resolution mechanisms. I also believe there needs to be far greater transparency in this area and that while the EU Commission has recently instigated some welcome changes on this, they can and must go further.

I hope that the Government now listen and respond to these concerns and ensure that TTIP delivers the jobs, growth and fairer deal for consumers that we all want to see.

Thank you once again for writing to me and sharing your views. I can assure you that I will continue to follow this issue closely and bear in mind the points you raise.

Yours sincerely,

Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP”