Telford MP demands Cameron fulfil promise to world's poor
Telford MP David Wright has demanded David Cameron fulfil his promise to spend 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) on international aid and to put this commitment in law.
Before the General Election in 2010, all three main political parties committed themselves to Labour's 0.7 per cent of GNI international aid target and promised that this commitment would be enshrined in law.
The Coalition Agreement between the Tories and Lib Dems reiterated this pledge yet the two parties of government are still to fulfil their promise.
David Wright MP said:
“I am signing up to the Keep the Promise campaign because I believe that we must not turn our backs on the world’s poorest. Not only is it morally right but it is also in our national interest to meet our aid promise as developing countries can, with our support, become our future trading partners instead of failed states.
“I understand why some people feel we shouldn’t prioritise international aid when so many families in Telford are struggling but the world’s poor shouldn’t pay the price for the Tories’ economic failure.
“Our aid makes a huge difference to the lives of the poorest people of the world through building schools, protecting children from disease and helping alleviate the suffering caused by disasters like the Haiti earthquake.
“We cannot afford to take Cameron at his word that he will maintain Britain’s commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on international aid.
“We need to have this commitment enshrined in law so that the world knows we will fulfil our obligations and to show David Cameron that even in difficult times people in Telford believe it is right we maintain our responsibilities to the world’s poorest people and keep our promises.”
