- Anti-supermarket action in Brighton
- NHS: Opposition to health reforms gaining momentum Anti-supermarket action in Brighton Activists and locals in Kemptown, Brighton have occupieda recently closed-down local supermarket to resist the building of a Sainsbury’s, which represents the corporate take-over of this district of Brighton and the wider commercialisation of Brighton as a whole. The squatted building has been used for community activities and a community cafe over the last few weeks, but on 23rd February the campaigners lost in court and are due to be evicted. However, the local anti-Sainsbury’s movement remains strong and the community centre will move to another location. The campaign contacted Corporate Watch about spreading information about the effects of supermarkets on local communities and it using the specific struggle in Brighton to highlight broader issues around supermarkets.
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NHS: Opposition to health reforms gaining momentum A meeting of the London branch of the British Medical Association, the doctors' union, voted strongly in favour of polling members about taking industrial action to stop the government's health and social care bill. Pulse magazine reported that more than 80% of the 250-strong meeting backed a motion calling the BMA to survey its members before an emergency meeting on the 15th March, where the BMA will debate its position on the bill. The GPs were supported by a 150 strong demonstration outside the meeting organised by the Keep Our NHS Public campaign. David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley have made much of the bill's measures to give more responsibility to GPs, but many worry they are being set up as scapegoats for the dismantling and privatisation of the service. Dr Wendy Savage, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, told Corporate Watch: “this decision shows the strength of feeling of BMA members. Although there are some enthusiasts for this idea of GP commissioning, there is a lot of disquiet among doctors who have thought more about it.” Please see here for a list of Keep Our NHS Public groups across the country and contact details (with new groups currently being formed in Norwich and Lewisham).
- NHS: Opposition to health reforms gaining momentum Anti-supermarket action in Brighton Activists and locals in Kemptown, Brighton have occupieda recently closed-down local supermarket to resist the building of a Sainsbury’s, which represents the corporate take-over of this district of Brighton and the wider commercialisation of Brighton as a whole. The squatted building has been used for community activities and a community cafe over the last few weeks, but on 23rd February the campaigners lost in court and are due to be evicted. However, the local anti-Sainsbury’s movement remains strong and the community centre will move to another location. The campaign contacted Corporate Watch about spreading information about the effects of supermarkets on local communities and it using the specific struggle in Brighton to highlight broader issues around supermarkets.
.
NHS: Opposition to health reforms gaining momentum A meeting of the London branch of the British Medical Association, the doctors' union, voted strongly in favour of polling members about taking industrial action to stop the government's health and social care bill. Pulse magazine reported that more than 80% of the 250-strong meeting backed a motion calling the BMA to survey its members before an emergency meeting on the 15th March, where the BMA will debate its position on the bill. The GPs were supported by a 150 strong demonstration outside the meeting organised by the Keep Our NHS Public campaign. David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley have made much of the bill's measures to give more responsibility to GPs, but many worry they are being set up as scapegoats for the dismantling and privatisation of the service. Dr Wendy Savage, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, told Corporate Watch: “this decision shows the strength of feeling of BMA members. Although there are some enthusiasts for this idea of GP commissioning, there is a lot of disquiet among doctors who have thought more about it.” Please see here for a list of Keep Our NHS Public groups across the country and contact details (with new groups currently being formed in Norwich and Lewisham).