The Conservative Party and international aid

It is good to see that, finally, the government has done something which, along with the internal market, its backbenchers cannot tolerate (though I have to note that one of the prime movers of the 'rebellion', Andrew Mitchell, who is genuine and sincere in his support for international development and is no fool, was inexplicably a vocal supporter of Alexander in his leadership campaign). It is notable that, for many parliamentarians, irrespective of party, commitment to international aid has become a touchstone of decency to an extent that it was not in the Thatcher era. It seems that, for some time, perhaps due to the efforts of campaigners on problems of the Global South and the environmental movement, a consciousness is growing that the factors which unite humanity are greater than those which divide them: or perhaps this is a fanciful hope.

It would be even better if these parliamentarians turned their attention to this government's disgraceful treatment of refugees, which has been recently condemned by a House of Commons committee. They have accused the government of haviong connived in the spread of Covid-19 in accommodation for refugees. It appears that even those parliamentarians (often Labour as well as Conservative) with consciences care for the Global South as long as it does not come to our shores.