Douglas Trainer
Douglas Trainer was appointed as a special advisor on health to the Scottish Executive by Jack McConnell oin May 2006.
Trainer is a graduate of Strathclyde University, a former president of the National Union of Students, a former lobbyist for Luther Pendragon and a PR advisor to Coca Cola in their attempts to fight the boycott of coke and its products led by students in the UK.
Mark Thomas notes:
- Members of the trade union Amicus turned up in force to oppose the planned ban, handing out leaflets stating that they had "consulted with the workers in Colombia and have been assured by them that they do not support a call for a boycott". Obviously, these people have not spoken to the Colombian trade union Sinaltrainal, which initiated the call for a boycott following the deaths of a number of its members.
- Stranger still was the presence of the public relations man Douglas Trainer, seen sitting and chatting with the Amicus bloc. Trainer is a PR man consulted by Coca-Cola (in an advisory capacity, it is keen to stress). So what was a PR man with connections to Coke doing at a War on Want AGM? Was he a member? "Yes," said Trainer. So when did he join? "Thursday." Two days before the AGM.
- When advisers to Coca-Cola are joining charities two days before crucial votes that will affect Coke, things appear a tad desperate for the company.
- So why all the shenanigans at the War on Want AGM?
- Trainer is an ex-president of the National Union of Students. Coke currently faces a major NUS conference vote on the issue of boycotting the company. As Coca-Cola's contract with the student purchasing body NUSL is up for renewal, advocates of a boycott are using the opportunity to force a vote. Has Trainer been asked to steer the company through the choppy waters of the NUS vote? Coca-Cola did not comment on this suggestion. [1]
Notes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3152455.stm
- ^ Mark Thomas - won't give the world a Coke New Statesman, 13th March 2006
