So Corbyn claims today to have obtained documentary evidence that the UK and US governments have been discussing access to the NHS for American healthcare companies as part of any FTA.
I don't understand why this provokes such hysteria.
If the NHS puts a contract out to tender, why shouldn't US companies have the opportunity to bid if other international companies have the option? Surely it will be against WTO rules to discriminate against companies from the US, whether we have an FTA or not and whether we are in the EU or not?
The way I see it, there is a lot of medical expertise in the US and we regularly see people raising cash to send sick kids there for treatment. Surely the NHS could benefit from this expertise? The hysteria seems completely irrational to me...
Meanwhile Michel Barnier has reportedly told a group of MEP's that free movement of people will have to accompany free movement of goods in any EU-UK trade deal and it will be impossible to conclude a deal by the end of 2020.