Anneliese Dodds has resigned as international development minister. The onetime shadow chancellor…
Dodds says of foreign aid priorities: “It will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cut” and the UK will pull out of “numerous African, Caribbean and Western Balkan nations at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence.” She notes that “this decision is already being portrayed as following in President Trump’s slipstream of cuts to USAID” and is “deeply harming the UK’s reputation.” Hacks have been waiting diligently this week for a serving Labour frontbencher to resign over this…
Towards the end she says “I am sorry that I will not be in post to deliver the groundbreaking new legislation on equality for Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, disabled people and LGBT+ people to which we are committed.” A nation mourns…
Read the full letter below:
UPDATE: Starmer’s reply also added below
“Dear Prime Minister,
It is with sadness that I write to inform you that I will cease attending your Cabinet, and am tendering to you my resignation as your Minister of State for International Development and for Women and Equalities.
As I stated to you earlier this week, it was imperative that you had a united cabinet behind you as you set off for Washington. Your determination to pursue peace through strength for Ukraine is one I share. It is for that reason that I am only writing to you now that your meeting with President Trump is over, and four days after you informed me of your decision to cut Overseas Development Assistance to 0.3% of GNI.
Undoubtedly the postwar global order has come crashing down. I believe that we must increase spending on defence as a result; and know that there are no easy paths to doing so. I stood ready to work with you to deliver that increased spending, knowing some might well have had to come from ODA. I also expected we would collectively discuss our fiscal rules and approach to taxation, as other nations are doing. Even 3% may only be the start, and it will be impossible to raise the substantial resources needed just through tactical cuts to public spending. These are unprecedented times, when strategic decisions for the sake of our country’s security cannot be ducked.
Instead, the tactical decision was taken for ODA to absorb the entire burden. You have maintained that you want to continue support for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine; for vaccination; for climate; and for rules-based systems. Yet it will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cut; the effect will be far greater than presented, even if assumptions made about reducing asylum costs hold true. The cut will also likely lead to a UK pull-out from numerous African, Caribbean and Western Balkan nations – at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence. It will likely lead to withdrawal from regional banks and a reduced commitment to the World Bank; the UK being shut out of numerous multilateral bodies; and a reduced voice for the UK in the G7, G20 and in climate negotiations. All this while China is seeking to rewrite global rules, and when the climate crisis is the biggest security threat of them all.
Ultimately, these cuts will remove food and healthcare from desperate people – deeply harming the UK’s reputation. I know you have been clear that you are not ideologically opposed to international development. But the reality is that this decision is already being portrayed as following in President Trump’s slipstream of cuts to USAID.
While we differ profoundly on this decision, I remain proud of all that you have achieved since I backed you to be leader of the Labour Party. I will always remain grateful to you for enabling me to contribute to our election victory, by appointing me to chair the policy review, Stronger Together and the National Policy Forum, and of course the Labour Party itself, including work to rid the party of anti-semitism and on the production of the manifesto. I am also grateful to the many thousands of party members, party staff and trade unionists I have worked with.
I also regret deeply that I will no longer be able to work with you towards a more equal Britain, after years of covering the women and equalities brief where I have sought to deliver a commonsense approach which could command public support while delivering change. I am sorry that I will not be in post to deliver the groundbreaking new legislation on equality for Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, disabled people and LGBT+ people to which we are committed. I am however pleased that OEO measures in the Employment Rights Bill will soon be in place, revolutionising support for women in the workplace.
Finally, I would like to thank the civil servants whom I have worked with over the last eight months individuals who often work in the most dangerous and difficult places and circumstances, to protect our country’s interests.
I wish you, and the government you command, every success for the future.
I will continue to support you, and the change you are determined to deliver – but now I shall do so from the backbenches.”
“Dear Anneliese,
Thank you for your hard work, deep commitment and friendship.
Overseas development is vitally important, and I am proud of what we have done. The UK will
still be providing significant humanitarian and development support, and we will continue to
protect vital programmes – including in the world’s worst conflict zones of Ukraine, Gaza and
Sudan. The decision I have taken on the impact on ODA was a difficult and painful decision
and not one I take lightly. We will do everything we can to return to a world where that is not
the case and to rebuild a capability on development. However, protecting our national security
must always be the first duty of any government and I will always act in the best interests of
the British people.Your work to support the most vulnerable regions has had a significant impact. The efforts to
provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine as they enter a fourth year of war have been critical and
the recent £17 million package for aid into Gaza following the ceasefire will do vital work to
ensure healthcare, food and shelter reaches tens of thousands of civilians. I also commend you
on your announcement of a new partnership between the UK Government and private finance
to tackle climate change and boost growth in the global south. Thank you for shining the
spotlight on the most desperate situations through your engagement with communities in Sudan
recently where you announced life-saving support for those hardest hit in the conflictI appreciate your tireless work to set this Government’s direction on equality and opportunity.
You have shown determination to tackle all forms of discrimination and boost opportunity for
people across the UK.I know you will have more to contribute in the future and continue to represent your
constituents in Oxford East with dedication.”
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”