Peartree Against Fluoride...

Peartree Against Fluoride...

September 2011 update

At the recent Council debate on fluoridation, the Council voted in a free vote to overturn its previous decision and now no longer supports fluoridation of Southampton's water supply.

Peartree Councillor Matt Jones has been consistently against fluoridation, voting against in both the first and second debates and voting to support a referendum of local people.

Matt spoke at the recent debate, saying that although fluoridation schemes claimed some benefits, the overall benefit had been exaggerated when compared with the risks. He said that the absence of freedom of choice was the scheme's worst flaw.

Conservative Deputy Leader Councillor Jeremy Moulton moved a motion which clearly set out the current situation. At the moment the SHA (Strategic Health Authority - an unelected NHS management organisation set up and given responsibility for fluoridation by the previous Labour government) has instructed Southern Water to proceed with fluoridation. Only an Act of Parliament can stop it. The current Health Bill represents an opportunity to change this system, and it is currently going through the House of Lords.

Anybody concerned about fluoridation needs to lobby for a change in the way fluoridation schemes are handled, to be included in the new health bill before it becomes law. You can help by writing to your MP, or to Earl Howe, the Lord who is in charge of the Bill as it passes through the House of Lords:

Earl Howe,
The House of Lords,
London,
SW1A 0PW.

The Bill will start its second reading on 11th October 2011.