Minister Anneliese Dodds has dramatically resigned from the government over Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to slash the UK’s foreign aid budget.
The cabinet minister warned the move would bolster Russia, despite the prime minister’s claims the cash would be used to hike defence spending and hit back at “tyrants” like Putin.
In her letter to the prime minister, reported by the Guardian, she wrote: “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 overseas development assistance [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.”
Ms Dodds revealed that she had only been told about the decision by the PM on Monday. She decided to delay her resignation so it did not overshadow the prime minister’s trip to Washington to make the case to Donald Trump for security guarantees for Ukraine.
Earlier this week a former deputy foreign secretary warned Russia and China would benefit from the plans to slash the foreign aid budget.
Sir Keir defended his controversial cuts saying he would use the cash to hit back at “tyrants” like Putin.
But Andrew Mitchell warned the move would actually aid Russia, three years after its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
In an article for the Independent he also suggested Labour had turned its back on its own principles, pointing out that Sir Keir argued against reductions to the overseas aid budget under the Conservatives.
No 10 declined to get into any private meetings between Ms Dodds and the prime minister.
More follows…
