Long-Bailey is a candidate in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election. The MP previously worked at Hill Dickinson law firm and was part of a team that gave ownership of £190 million of NHS property to the Grand Duchy.
According to buzzfeednews, the politician repeatedly presented herself as a vocal opponent of private finance contracts in the NHS. When she previously worked as a lawyer, however, she played an active role in drawing up contracts for NHS LIFT, a programme that passed ownership of new NHS buildings to private firms. These contracts involved handing £190 million of NHS property to investment firms in Luxembourg.
The Grand Duchy thus became the owner of these properties. Opponents of this practice often argue that these contracts play a key role in the hidden privatisation of the NHS while the deals generate millions in dividends for shareholders.
A spokesperson of the MP said: “Rebecca has always wanted to defend the NHS. She became aware of rip-off PFI contracts while working as a lawyer, which she has consistently spoken out against.”
