John Battle MP Backs Make Poverty History Campaign

John Battle, Labour MP for Leeds West, welcomed a Parliamentary majority backing the Make Poverty History coalition.

“More than half of all MPs have now signed the Early Day Motion demanding trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid.

“I do very strongly support this excellent campaign,” said Mr Battle, “and I know from the number of people who write to me about it how many of my constituents support it too. I probably get more post about this than any other political issue.”

The total number who have signed Early Day Motion 9 “Make Poverty History In 2005” to date is 428 – a clear majority of the 659 MPs sitting at Westminster, and the most support of any Early Day Motion this Parliament.

Andy Atkins of Make Poverty History coalition members Tearfund said:

“This is a key moment for MPs to reflect the wealth of public support for Make Poverty History’s demands for trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid.

Matt Phillips, of Save the Children – also a member of Make Poverty History - said:

"MPs from all parties are making it clear to the government that it must make poverty history this year. This must result in policy changes on things the UK can do to reduce extreme poverty, action to stop forced liberalisation and real pressure from Tony Blair on other world leaders to deliver."

Full text of EDM 9:

That this House welcomes the United Kingdom Government's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals; notes with concern that the current debt crisis, trade injustice and shortcomings of aid further exacerbate poverty, inequality, the HIV/AIDS crisis and environmental degradation across the developing world; notes that if the international community is to make poverty history then there needs to be further co-ordinated political action by the world's governments, including the United Kingdom, aimed at trade justice, dropping the debt and providing more and better aid; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to lead the way for change and use its influence when it holds the presidency of the G8 and chairs the EU to make poverty history in 2005.

©John Battle MP 15 March 2005