Dear Keir and Lisa,

We are writing to urge you to reconsider the decision to abstain on the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill this Monday.

The right of public bodies to decide not to invest in, or purchase or procure from, companies involved in human rights abuse, abuse of workers’ rights, environmental destruction, or any other harmful or illegal acts, should be defended.

This law will completely deny this right, which is why it has received such strong opposition from across civil society, including the trade union movement.

As you know, the government has indicated a main intention of any legislation is to ensure that public bodies follow UK foreign policy in their purchasing, procurement, and investment decisions in relation to Israel and Palestine.

This means, for example, preventing public bodies from deciding not to invest in – or procure from – companies involved in the production of settlement goods, or goods produced in the illegally-occupied territories. This would take away a key tool that can be used to support Palestinian human rights and an end to the illegal occupation, in line with international law, and Labour Party policy.

The proposed law also presents a threat to freedom of expression, in line with the slew of recent laws from the Tories against our civil liberties and democratic rights. In light of these points, we urge Labour to reconsider its decision not to vote against the Bill should your reasoned amendment not pass.

Yours,

Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary, and Hugh Lanning, on behalf of Labour & Palestine.

• Watch Labour NEC member Jess Barnard give a briefing on why to oppose the Bill here and share here.
• Read more on the growing opposition to the Bill here.
• Write to your MP using PSC’s easy online tool here.
• Retweet the letter to Starmer and Nandy here – and FB share it here.