Protecting the aid budget

It is the right thing to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GNI but it is wrong to take it from the ODA budget. It’s shortsighted and a strategic mistake for Britain because...

1. Preventing conflict is cheaper than going to war.

2. Securing economies and stability overseas makes the UK more secure, protects our borders and is in our long term national interest.

3. We are a leader in international development and it gives us influence globally which benefits our trade and growth.

4. Where we vacate, Russia and China fill the gaps.

5. And if that wasn’t enough, there is a moral argument - this is on the backs of the world’s poorest. We are replicating the savage cuts of Trump to USAID. I had hoped we might step in and lead.

6. The Labour Govt has ducked the opportunity. I never imagined a Labour Govt would cut international aid to lower than any Gov of the 21st century- it’s a pitiful inheritance from 1997. Liberal Democrats will continue to champion our leadership on the world stage, in hard power, soft power and growth. We pushed the Govt last Friday to increase the defence spend to 2.5% but importantly spelt out alternative means of funding it, such as an increase in the digital services tax. The Govt had other choices they could have made. They chose badly.