Government Called to Account

In a fringe meeting at the Labour Party Spring Conference in Manchester (see other activities outside the conference), 150 Trade Justice Movement activists put the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, in the hot seat for a debate about global justice & the UK's role in Third World poverty reduction. The debate, organised by Dave Pearce of the local World Development Movement, included MPs Gareth Thomas and Michael Wills. GMR's Allan Beswick chaired the event, reflecting his personal concern for correcting injustice wherever it oppresses people.

photo of (most of) the pnael from the Question Time session

The panel: Dave Pearce, Allan Beswick, Patricia Hewitt MP, Gareth Thomas MP, Ann Pettifor and Prof. Uwem Ite. (Michael Wills MP had already had to leave)

Dave was clear on his reasons: "The international community have made promises to halve poverty by 2015. Yet politicians fail to match their rhetoric with actions - it's just not good enough!" Allan Beswick asked, "Is there the political will for justice in trade and debt?" Patricia Hewitt replied: "The will is there in our government". Given developing countries lose a massive $700bn per year due to unjust trade barriers implemented by countries like the UK, it is no surprise the Minister's response was greeted with cynicism. Indeed her colleague Michael Wills, who resigned from government last year to campaign against the Common Agricultural Policy, said that to be honest the answer was "No"!

Edward Egan, of the Christian Brothers in Gorton, raised the issue of the debt dependency, led by the USA which is hoovering up money from the poorest to finance their "spend now" feel-good boom. He pointed out implications for people in Manchester as well as the developing world, and Ann Pettifor of the New Economics Foundation endorsed his comments.

Stephen Pennells challenged the spin and reassurances by the government about the privatisation of essential water supply for poor communities, but Uwem Ite, associate professor in Geography at Lancaster University, speaking as someone with personal insights into the situation as it is felt by people in the southern hemisphere conceded that there was a role for foreign involvement and capital.

When an MP suggested campaigning had waned, Marion Heyes from Wythenshawe dealt the blow: "We're still campaigning and we're going to keep on. So why don't you lot match us and we can get things done!" The panel were unanimous in congratulating the activists for their commitment to helping those thousands of miles away. But with a child dying from poverty every few seconds, there is still a long way to go. What is clear is that the voices of Manchester were heard and will be remembered.

Manchester Trade Justice Movement (0161 273 3647, news@tjm-manchester.org.uk)

Related Information

Laboured Relations at Spring Conference - report round-up from activities outside the Labour Party's Spring Conference in Manchester

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