MEMBERS of Global Justice Bradford dressed as chickens attended the Leeds ‘Stop Trump’ march in Leeds yesterday to say ‘No Trade Deal with Trump’

On Tuesday parliament will vote on the report stage of the government's Trade Bill. The bill is one of several laws the government is trying to get through Parliament to help set policy after Brexit. It's meant to 'transfer' trade deals that the UK is part of through the EU, to the UK after Brexit.

But protestors say it gives the government the power to do this behind closed doors, without a proper debate or vote in parliament.

They say it means that the government could change these agreements in big ways, but the public and MPs wouldn't have a say.

"The risk of the UK doing a trade deal with the US is that as Donald Trump has said, the US wants to put ‘America First’. One way a trade deal would put America first and make more money for the US would be if safety standards, which are currently law in the UK via membership of the EU, are lowered following Brexit.

"If the UK lowers regulation in a trade deal with the US, what is at risk is our food safety, public services such as the NHS, and many other laws that exist to protect workers’ rights and to keep people safe," said Jane Thewlis from Global Justice Bradford.

Jane Howson, also from Global Justice Bradford added: "We have dressed as chickens to represent the infamous ‘chlorinated chicken’ that many people have heard of.

"The US does not have the same food safety standards as the UK, and as a result their chickens have to be rinsed in chlorine before being sold.

"Most people in the UK would rather eat chicken that is healthy and safe to eat.

"We have come to Leeds not only to object to the way Trump treats migrants, women and LGBT people, but also to raise awareness about the danger of a trade deal with Trump. We believe people in Bradford want to keep strong standards that protect people’s health and wellbeing.

"We do not want a deal that is no good for us and only good for the US and Trump."