Backlash as Oxfam says ‘extreme capitalism’ to blame for poverty
OXFAM faced a barrage of criticism yesterday for saying that poverty was caused by an extreme form of capitalism.
A think-tank accused it of ‘demonising capitalism’, and critics queried why it pursued a political agenda while accepting millions of pounds of taxpayerfunded public money.
Supporters also threatened to cancel donations after a war of words broke out on social media following the British charity’s annual report into wealth inequality around the world.
Oxfam received £176million in public funds last year, and its chief executive Mark Goldring was paid £127,000.
In its report this week, it claimed that the world’s richest 1 per cent took 82 per cent of all the wealth generated last year, calling it ‘extreme capitalism’.
One angry critic tweeted: ‘ Oxfam’s obsession with inequality is unhelpful. Let’s focus on eradicating poverty through free markets, property rights, and international trade instead.’
On its Twitter feed, Oxfam replied: ‘We have an extreme form of capitalism that only works for those at the top. That is why we are calling for governments to manage economies so they work for everyone and not just the fortunate few.’
However, Dr John Hemmings, of the Asia Studies Centre at the Henry Jackson Society, said: ‘Capitalism lifted more people out of poverty in the 20th century than state-planned economies and communism ever did.’
Mark Littlewood, of the Institute of Economic Affairs think- tank, said: ‘Demonising capitalism may be fashionable in the affluent western world, but it ignores the millions of people who have risen out of poverty as a result of free markets. Eradicating absolute poverty is best done by ensuring the right institutional framework exists to enable economic growth. Instead, Oxfam is promoting a race to the bottom.’
Twitter users reacted angrily. James Atkinson said: ‘I’m unprepared to have your backwards politics pushed down my neck so I’ve cancelled my donation direct debit. Well done.’ Paul Miller tweeted: ‘When did a respected charity become such a hard-Left organisation with the intellectual prowess of your average comprehensive sixth-form?’
Oxfam later seemed to backtrack, tweeting: ‘We recognise the key role that business plays in reducing global poverty, but too often our economies are built to reward wealth rather than hard work. That is holding back the fight against poverty. We didn’t express this as clearly as we would have liked.’
IN the trial of Darren Osborne, it has been claimed that one of the reasons the alleged Finsbury Park mosque killer is said to have sought out Muslims was that he’d been watching a BBC drama- documentary about the Rochdale grooming scandal.
So how depressingly predictable that some have suggested such programmes are ‘inflammatory’ and shouldn’t be aired.
The programme, Three Girls, was firstclass television, highlighting a social evil to which scores of youngsters fell victim, betrayed by authorities who turned a blind eye to mainly Asian gangs for fear of being branded racist. Whatever the truth about Finsbury Park, the BBC deserves credit for broadcasting it. ECHOING Jeremy Corbyn, Oxfam calls for greater economic intervention by the world’s governments, blaming ‘an extreme form of capitalism’ for the plight of the poor. Leave aside that capitalism has lifted millions out of poverty, while Socialism has spread only misery. By plunging so crassly into politics, doesn’t Oxfam put its charity status in question? If its bosses wish to justify their six-figure salaries – and retain donors’ goodwill – they should stick to helping those in need. THIS paper applauds Cathy Ellott, pastoral deputy head of St Mary’s Ascot, who warns that the modern obsession with same-sex relationships and transgender issues risks sowing confusion among youngsters and undermining heterosexuality. Is it too much to hope this is the start of a backlash in favour of common sense?