Foreign aid rebels confident of blocking cut to spending target
TORY rebels have launched a major whipping operation in an effort to block a £4 billion cut to foreign aid spending as the Government conceded that it would need to pass legislation to force it through.
A group of moderate MPS led by Andrew Mitchell, the former chief whip and international development secretary, are urging colleagues to vote down the reduction in Britain’s foreign aid target when it is put to a vote in Parliament.
Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, yesterday refused to commit to a “sunset clause” in the legislation that would limit the cut to overseas aid spending to just one year.
Insisting that it was right that “every penny of public spending” was scrutinised during an “economic emergency”, Mr Raab said only that the commitment would be reinstated when “the fiscal situation allows”. However, with the Archbishop of Canterbury and charities urging MPS to block the move, Boris Johnson now faces a battle to push the plans through Parliament.
While the International Development Act allows the target to be missed during periods of economic downturn, ministers cannot declare their intention to do so in advance.
It means the Foreign Office will now need to table an amendment to the Act or new legislation, both of which will require a vote in Parliament. Last night a source involved in the Tory rebellion said “the figures are looking increasingly good”, with 30 MPS signalling they are prepared to vote with the opposition to defeat the Government.
“I think it’s really doable. There is a potential list of 50 or 60. At least half of them have already indicated that they will do that,” a second source said.
Damian Green, chairman of the One Nation Conservatives caucus, told The Daily Telegraph: “I know there is very widespread unease about breaking a manifesto commitment on an issue that has been such a sign of how the Conservative Party has changed in recent years to reflect the values of modern Britain.”
The rebels hope to recruit David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, and Theresa May, who has publicly stated her opposition to reducing overseas aid.
Allies say the former prime minister is “concerned” at the cut, with one stating: “One of the best things our foreign aid does is educate girls, which Theresa feels very strongly about.” While Mr Johnson has an 80-seat majority, a rebellion of 40 would be enough to inflict defeat if opposition MPS voted accordingly.
They also warned that Baroness Sugg, who resigned as a minister over the decision, would be a “formidable opponent” when the legislation was put to the House of Lords.
In the Commons yesterday, Mr Raab insisted that tackling climate change, Covid-19, girls’ education, conflict resolution and expanding in-house management of aid delivery remained priorities.