11 May 2007

As the Prime Minister announces his departure from Downing Street, attention turns to his legacy and his successor. Both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have emphasised their commitment to fighting global poverty – but has the reality matched the rhetoric?

Patrick Watt, Policy Coordinator at ActionAid, said: "Tony Blair leaves behind him a mixed legacy on poverty. While an increased commitment to Africa is undeniable, often the pledges and implementation were miles apart."

On a Gordon Brown premiership Patrick Watt said: "Gordon Brown’s moral commitment to poverty reduction is beyond doubt – but he needs to lay down a strong marker in his first 100 days. The autumn sees his first Comprehensive Spending Review as prime minister and development must be at its core if Gordon Brown wants to prove his anti-poverty credentials."

Hits:

• Formation of the Department for International Development – giving poverty issues a higher profile in government
• Passing the International Development Act
• In 2005 both Brown and Blair used their influence on the global stage to raise development issues up the agenda – however the concrete changes needed are still to materialise

Misses:

• There is still a long way to go to reach the targets set by the G8 in 2005. While rhetoric was positive, the reality is not so good. ActionAid is looking for real global leadership from Gordon Brown to push the G8 to reach the targets – currently, the G8 as a whole is traveling in the wrong direction.
• The UK is still only just over half way toward meeting the UN aid target of 0.7% of national income.
• On debt relief, 21 countries have seen their debts to the IMF and World Bank cancelled. Another 40 countries are still waiting.
• On global trade EU policy has actually got worse. Brown and Blair have talked at length of a 'development round' of trade talks – but have not delivered on this agenda. ActionAid is looking for Gordon Brown to lead the EU in a trade deal that benefits poor people, not big business.
• On corruption and governance the Government needs to get its own house in order before preaching about corruption in developing countries. The suspension of the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into BAE Systems earlier this year seriously undermines commitments to transparency and good governance, while the UK and its territories remain laundries of choice for 'dirty money' from the developing world.

Maybes:

• ActionAid is looking for Gordon Brown to join the dots between the Government’s climate change and Africa agendas. It must ensure that money to fight climate change is new money – not recycled from the aid budget
• The Government’s emphasis on development has started a cross party consensus on this issue with the Conservative Party now committed to the 0.7% target. It is yet to be seen whether this will translate into positive action for the world’s poorest people.