Labour

Failing to include 0.7 legislation in the Queen’s Speech breaches promises made to the electorate - Lewis

Ivan Lewis MP, Labour’s Shadow International Development Secretary, commenting on the Queen’s Speech today, said:

“Failing to include 0.7 legislation in the Queen’s Speech breaches promises made to the electorate both in the Tory manifesto and the Coalition Agreement. UK aid and development is about standing up for global social justice but is also about Britain’s national interest.
 
“David Cameron used the promise of legislation as a key symbol of how he had changed the Tory Party. It has now become a symbol of how he has become a prisoner of the right and is unable to change his party.
 
“There will now be growing concern about whether the Tory-led Government intend to honour their commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on development assistance by 2013. I will be seeking urgent reassurance from Andrew Mitchell that this remains the policy of the Government.”