CAMPAIGNERS in Southampton are calling on parliamentary hopefuls to back their efforts to prevent a controversial trade deal causing the “irreversible sale” of the NHS.

The Southampton Keep Our NHS Public group claims the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) being negotiated between the European Union and USA could allow US multinational firms or companies with American investors the right to sue the UK government if it attempts to bring privatised services back into national ownership.

They have put up a series of estate agent-style signs around the city calling on the Government to “stop the sale”, and have urged candidates in Southampton Itchen to back their opposition to the deal.

Campaigner Jane Freeland said: “Royston Smith must join other Southampton election candidates to push party leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg into either excluding the NHS from TTIP or to use the veto to remove the NHS from this American trade deal.

“They have now run out of excuses, Cameron and Clegg are either going to protect the NHS or they are going put the interests of US corporations ahead of the British people.”

Responding, Mr Smith said: “These accusations of privatisation are unfounded scaremongering.

TTIP will not affect how public services are paid for.

“If I thought the TTIP would put our NHS in private hands I would vote against it.”