Starmer will be remembered for UK aid cuts; the next PM has the opportunity to restore the UK’s reputation

Reacting to news that Sir Keir Starmer MP has resigned as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:

“Regrettably, Sir Keir Starmer will be remembered alongside Boris Johnson as the second Prime Minister to slash the UK aid budget in this decade: the deepest ever cuts to UK aid. This short-sighted political choice has left communities around the world – and here at home – more vulnerable to the impacts of conflict, disease and climate crisis, breaks election promises, and undermines the UK’s international standing.

At a time of increasing global challenges, from conflicts to climate crisis, the UK’s role on the world stage is now more important than ever. Failing to honour manifesto promises erodes the public’s trust, and weakens the Government’s credibility at home and abroad. We urge the next Prime Minister to act urgently on Labour’s commitment to restore the UK’s reputation as an ambitious, reliable, and equitable development partner, reverse the aid cuts, and seize the opportunity provided by the UK’s upcoming G20 presidency to step up on the global reforms needed build a safer, healthier and more equal world.”

ENDS.
 Notes to Editors

1. For further information or interviews, please contact Emily Loynes at [email protected]
2. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 330 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.