PARLIAMENT has just voted to tie its own hands on future trade deals.

In a vote on the Trade Bill, MPs voted to drop an amendment that would have guaranteed them a vote on trade deals.

Usually in domestic law, parliament would get a vote on issues like this. But trade deals, as international treaties, can effectively override this, which is why it was so important that parliament also got a vote on the trade deals themselves.

I am very disappointed that our MP, Julian Smith,was one of those who voted to drop this democratic procedure. He assures me that he intends to ensure transparency on all trade deals, but it seems odd, in that case, to vote against an amendment which would allow parliamentary scrutiny of these deals.

The dangers of high risk trade deals, such as one with the US or the Trans-Pacific Partnership are real. They could undermine food standards, raise medicine prices for the NHS, affect the way public services are run, and impact workers’ rights.

And at a time when we are facing a climate emergency, they could also block climate action.

Why should a "sovereign" parliament not be allowed to vote on them?

Ann Parkinson

Skipton