David Cameron is marking his return to frontline politics by saying he wants to unlock billions of dollars for foreign aid over the next decade, as part of a “moral mission” to help the world’s poorest people.
In a remarkable change of tone for a government that closed the Department for International Development and slashed the foreign aid budget, the former prime minister is to say he wants to push for the restoration of aid’s status in British foreign policy.
Cameron, who was appointed foreign secretary by Rishi Sunak on Monday in an astonishing political comeback, is to write in a foreword to a new international development white paper that foreign aid is even more vital, but more difficult than when he was last in office.
The internationalist tone will probably infuriate the Tory right, already angry that Cameron’s return signals a rush to the political centre ground, while his failure to formally commit extra public money to aid will dismay many charities. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Saturday, November 18, 2023
Can a senior politician really be this stupid? It is all well and good to help the world's poor, but doesn't this idiot – the idiot that brought us that stupid and ridiculous Brexit – realise that charity begins at home? Does this man's gilded cage cut him off completely from the outside world? Doesn't he know that there is poverty aplenty here in the United Kingdom, and doesn't he realise that these poor people are crying out for help? Doesn't he know that there are tens of thousands of parents who have to go to food banks to be able to put food on the table for their children? Does this out-of-touch, superrich idiot not know that there are thousands of people living rough – homeless people? And no, they didn't choose that lifestyle; they have been forced into it by circumstance. And if there are so many billions in the coffers to be spent, why don't you increase state pensions, so that the elderly in this country don't have to be known as the poorest pensioners in Europe, so that they will be able to afford enough heating to keep thenselves warm this winter, and be able to treat themselves to some decent, nourishing food to help keep them healthy?
Moreover, if there are so many billions lying around in government coffers, why don't you do something daring, something dramatic, something progressive? Why don't you introduce a universal basic income (UBI)? Now that would really give you a few gold stars. That would really put some gold thread in your braid. It would really give you some genuine kudos. UBI would also solve the homeless problem. It would also solve many other problems in this country, too.
Mr Cameron: You cocked up once with Brexit. Make sure you don't cock up a second time by giving billions away in aid to the world's poor when people at home are hurting so badly and need that aid just as much as people abroad. Never forget: Thousands are starving, thousands don't have even a roof over their heads, thousands need your help and assistance – so, so badly. – © Mark Alexander
