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David Cameron's hand forced over commitment to foreign aid | David Cameron's hand forced over commitment to foreign aid |
(about 5 hours later) | |
David Cameron faces a confrontation with Tory right-wingers by supporting moves to enshrine in law the United Kingdom’s promise to spend at least 0.7 per cent of national wealth on foreign aid. | David Cameron faces a confrontation with Tory right-wingers by supporting moves to enshrine in law the United Kingdom’s promise to spend at least 0.7 per cent of national wealth on foreign aid. |
The Prime Minister had backed off from putting the commitment into legislation despite Britain last year becoming the first major industrialised nation to achieve the United Nations target. | The Prime Minister had backed off from putting the commitment into legislation despite Britain last year becoming the first major industrialised nation to achieve the United Nations target. |
Although the Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour leaderships all back the move, development campaigners have expressed frustration at the failure to make the target legally binding. | Although the Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour leaderships all back the move, development campaigners have expressed frustration at the failure to make the target legally binding. |
Mr Cameron’s reluctance has been widely seen as a wish to avoid a clash with backbenchers who are hostile to the move. | Mr Cameron’s reluctance has been widely seen as a wish to avoid a clash with backbenchers who are hostile to the move. |
But his hand was forced yesterday when a former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister, Michael Moore, launched a parliamentary bid to put the 0.7 per cent commitment on to the statute book. | But his hand was forced yesterday when a former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister, Michael Moore, launched a parliamentary bid to put the 0.7 per cent commitment on to the statute book. |
Mr Moore came second in last month’s ballot for private members’ bills, which means his initiative has a strong chance of becoming law with Government backing. | Mr Moore came second in last month’s ballot for private members’ bills, which means his initiative has a strong chance of becoming law with Government backing. |
The ring fencing of aid spending, which has steadily risen under the Coalition, has been widely criticised by the Tory right. | The ring fencing of aid spending, which has steadily risen under the Coalition, has been widely criticised by the Tory right. |
They argue it should not be given special treatment when austerity measures are hitting areas such as policing, defence and local government. | They argue it should not be given special treatment when austerity measures are hitting areas such as policing, defence and local government. |
Mr Moore said: “Since I intend to build on the work of people in our party, in the Conservatives and Labour, I hope the consensus will be maintained and the Bill will pass.” | Mr Moore said: “Since I intend to build on the work of people in our party, in the Conservatives and Labour, I hope the consensus will be maintained and the Bill will pass.” |
Mr Cameron’s official spokesman said: “I would expect the Government to take the same supportive position as it has with previous private members’ bills on this issue in this Parliament.” | Mr Cameron’s official spokesman said: “I would expect the Government to take the same supportive position as it has with previous private members’ bills on this issue in this Parliament.” |
A similar Bill in 2012 was backed by ministers, but was talked out by the Tory right-winger Peter Bone. | A similar Bill in 2012 was backed by ministers, but was talked out by the Tory right-winger Peter Bone. |
Last night Mr Bone said: “I’m not going to be told by the party how to vote on a private member’s bill. That is absurd.” | Last night Mr Bone said: “I’m not going to be told by the party how to vote on a private member’s bill. That is absurd.” |
Jim Murphy, the shadow International Development Secretary, said: “With this Bill, a vote in Parliament can save lives across the world. British aid makes a huge difference to millions. We should be proud of what our generosity can do for those in need and what it says about us as a country." | Jim Murphy, the shadow International Development Secretary, said: “With this Bill, a vote in Parliament can save lives across the world. British aid makes a huge difference to millions. We should be proud of what our generosity can do for those in need and what it says about us as a country." |
MPs will call for nations such as France, Italy and Spain to pay more towards humanitarian support for Syrian refugees. | |
The Commons international development committee warns Britain’s disproportionate contribution was unsustainable without poverty-stricken parts of the world losing out. |
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