Bob Geldof urges Johnson to think again on ‘cruel’ reduction to aid
Bob Geldof has urged Boris Johnson to change his mind on a cut to foreign aid, describing it as “cruel”.
The singer and long-time activist said the temporary reduction of foreign aid from 0.7 per cent of national income to 0.5 per cent “doesn't make any sense”. He told the BBC'S Andrew Marr Show: “I’m very much afraid that something thatwe'retoldistemporarywill become permanent.
“That would be vastly damaging for Britain's soft power, for its reputation, particularly at a weekend when we invite the world’s most powerful leaders of the world's biggest economies to come here and talk about such matters with us. It seems remarkably maladroit and inept.”
Asked if his message to the PM is for him to change his mind, he said: “Yeah, I don’t think he’s committed to it. And, you know, there's an expansiveness there that can be called upon in his mind.
“And yes, I am saying, you know, 'Prime Minister, what's this about? You are going to meet your peers at the weekend. This is one we lead on already. Seriously lead on, we led the charge. We committed to it. The entire country through their MPS promised it. Go in there with our head held high’.”
It came as Conservative MPS said they were “optimistic” a motion designed to reverse the cut would get the support it needed.
Tom Tugendhat, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said there was cautious optimism among Conservative rebels.
He told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme: “We're cautiously optimistic but the reality is that what we're trying to do here is we're trying to make sure that Britain's foreign footprint, that global Britain, really means something.
“I think that's absolutely vital to making sure we achieve our ambitions and our potential.
“The reality is Britain has a huge opportunity to shape the world at the moment of extraordinary flux and this, along with our defence and diplomatic and trade capabilities, is part of that, so I'm absolutely committed to making sure Britain really is great on the international stage.
“The Prime Minister has been as clear as you can possibly be about global Britain being an ambition for all.”