Watchdog campaign receives big boost following party vote
23 September 2009
In a major step forward in the campaign to stop supermarket abuse, the Liberal Democrats joined the call for a supermarket watchdog at their annual conference in Bournemouth.
Plans for a watchdog were adopted as part of their national policy, a move that will lead to increased pressure for the body when parliament reconvenes in October.
The Liberal Democracts are the first of the major parties to commit to the watchdog in the form of an ombudsman following the Competition Commission's formal recommendation to the government in favour of one.
War on Want has been calling for a watchdog that would govern the relationship between supermarkets and suppliers overseas and stop supermarkets abusing their power. To increase their profits supermarkets squeeze overseas suppliers, a practice which leads to appalling conditions and poverty wages for workers.
It's time that the government followed the Lib Dems and showed their support and political will for a watchdog. Lord Mandelson is formally required to respond to the Competition Commission's recommendation in November, so please take action now.
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