Only Left back Tories on protecting DfiD spending |

Monday 13th July 2009 | 14:52

Only Left back Tories on protecting DfiD spending

The Conservative party’s policy of protecting international development spending has strong support on the left, but is opposed by the party’s MPs and natural supporters

A majority of right-leaning political insiders oppose the Conservative party’s policy of protecting international development spending from cuts, according to the latest PoliticsHome research.

In a speech earlier today, David Cameron pledged to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income on international development by 2013, arguing that he did not see Britain as ‘a country of fair-weather philanthropy’.

But eighty one per cent of right-leaning Phi100 panellists oppose this commitment. This group includes Conservative frontbenchers and senior advisers as well as influential commentators in the right-leaning press.

In contrast, over two thirds of panellists on the left support it. Lib Dems also unanimously back protecting spending in this area. Non-aligned panellists are split down the middle.

Developing countries 'must be protected'

A left-leaning panellist believed: ‘DfiD can be trimmed but the end receivers must be protected.’

A Labour MP supported the policy ‘in that it should be 0.7% of GDP - this will mean less when GDP shrinks.’

Another media panellist made the point that international development is ‘a minute part of the budget.’

Leave a comment...

Owen Meredith

17:29 |
13 Jul 2009
0

This is a good result for Cameron. The Consertive 'Nos' will vote Tory anyway, and the liberal and labour waivers will be able to use this policy as a reason to trust Cameron with thier vote.

politics geek

01:36 |
16 Jul 2009
0

It would be if these were voters- who consistently show overseas aid as one of their least valued areas! These are elites-entirely unrepresentaitve of general public.

Babara Stevens

14:46 |
25 Aug 2009
0

Why should we send them money when we're borrowing to survive its so silly and not sensible managment of the economy. We need to withdraw from all aid until we have our own house in order, stop all guangos like the Human Rights and Equalities Commission who cost us £72 millon per year, and unelected body who are interfering in legisation with the proposed Equalities Bill. There are several bodies that can be disolved to save money, well before one stops money on essencial services all the people of this country use, please think on before you cut indiscriminately.

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