Tory Threat

The Conservatives slashed overseas aid in half when they were last in power. And despite Cameron’s fluffy words, 96% of Conservative candidates seeking to become MPs at the next election want to see aid cut*.

A Labour Government has made the Department of International Development a world leader and put Britain at the forefront of fighting global poverty.

The Conservatives, lead by a shadow Development Minister who is a known Thatcherite, would will impose disastrous, ill thought out and ideological policies on some of the world’s poorest people.

Here are some of the damaging things they are proposing (which have been slated by major NGOs and the UN):

• David Cameron plans to imposing private sector solutions in health and education. They would promote ‘voucher’ schemes, and subsidise private schools.

• The Tories would divert British aid for fighting poverty to tackle climate change.

• Leading Tories would slash aid spending and abandon our promises to the world’s poorest people.

• Tory plans for an ‘online vote’ to decide which countries should get aid would see poor people and countries treated like contestants on X-Factor or Big Brother, evicted on the basis of a beauty contest.

Part of the reason we set this group up is to properly scrutinise what the Tories are planning and make you as voters clear what the choice at the next election will be. What do you think of their policies? Add your comments below.

[* Source: ConservativeHome website poll, 03 July 2009]