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Labour Party launch election manifesto

12 April 2010

The Labour Party has launched its manifesto for the 2010 General Election.

Amongst the headline "50 steps to a future fair for all" are pledges to "Re-energise the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, supporting sustainable growth and combating poverty" and to "Reform the UN, International Financial Institutions, the G8 and G20, and NATO to adapt to the new global challenges."

The 2010 Labour Party Manifesto pledges to enshrine in law the commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on aid from 2013. Under Labour this would be targeted at those most in need, with money designated for health, education, food, fragile states, water and sanitation. Funds would also be provided to assist developing countries to adapt to the effects of Climate Change - 90% of which will be over and above the 0.7% target.

Other forms of finance for developing countries that Labour plans to assist with if re-elected include debt relief, strengthened developing country tax systems and the recovery of stolen assets.

Amongst the policies on reforming international institutions, Labour states that the IMF and World Bank should become more inclusive and that the G8 should be extended. Labour also pledges to campaign for a legally binding global arms trade treaty at the UN, to support the International Criminal Court and to build international support for humanitarian intervention through the ‘Responsibility to Protect'.

On trade, Labour's Manifesto promises to press for a fair World Trade Organisation deal with no enforced liberalisation for poor countries.

International institions are also key to Labour's targets on Climate Change - pledging to increase the target of a 34% CO2 reduction by 2020 if the rest of the EU agrees to do so too.

Read relevant excerpts from the Labour Manifesto

How the parties compare to the Vote Global Manifesto

More information about where the parties stand is on the Election page

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