Exclusive:
During his last term in the Oval office, the erratic US President Donald Trump suggested the NHS was on the table in any US-UK trade negotiations – before rowing back
Voters have warned the NHS must not be sold out in any trade talks with Donald Trump’s White House.
A survey shared with The Mirror shows a clear majority (54%) want the health service off the table in any negotiations. Over 200,000 people have also signed a petition to protect the NHS from US healthcare companies in any trade talks with the US.
While any such move is likely to be a red line for Keir Starmer it also shows almost 45% do not trust the government to prevent the NHS being included in trade deals. This is compared to 36% who said they did believe ministers to block such a move.
During his last term in the Oval office, the erratic US President Mr Trump suggested the NHS was on the table – before rowing back on the comments.
The survey by Survation for the campaign group Savanta comes as Keir Starmer prepares to jet to Washington today for critical meetings with the US President.
It will be the pair’s first face-to-face meeting since Mr Trump returned to the White House. While Ukraine will be top of the agenda, the threat of tariffs from the US administration and a future trade deal may also be discussed in the Oval office.
It follows years of failed negotiations between the US and UK to reach a free trade agreement despite it being talked up as the great prize of Brexit during the EU referendum. Speaking last month, Mr Starmer said he had been “clear that we would like to have discussions about a trade deal with the U.S”.
Matthew McGregor, CEO at 38 Degrees, said: “Our beloved National Health Service is a source of pride for Brits across the country.
“As Keir Starmer prepares to fly to the US, he must ensure the British government will never ever put our NHS on the negotiating table in a bid to gain favour – and that both Trump and his negotiating team, and British voters are crystal clear about this. “
He added: “Because right now, whatever the Government’s intentions, many voters worry that our health service will end up as a pawn on the negotiating table, and fear the potential threat that could bring to our NHS.
“The fact that 200,000 members of the public have backed our petition, alongside this polling, shows the strength of public feeling. A failure to keep the NHS off the negotiation table risks an adverse effect on Keir Starmer’s reputation with voters.”
