Foreign aid is the crack in the May-Davidson alliance – progressive parties should exploit it

The Scottish leader will not defend a cut to the aid budget

 

In his final speech on the steps of Downing Street, David Cameron highlighted foreign aid spending as one of his proudest accomplishments.

Now, less than a year later, Theresa May is refusing to confirm whether the 0.7 per cent spending pledge will be included in the 2017 Conservative manifesto.

But it’s not her predecessor’s support for foreign aid spending that May should worry about, but that of someone who’s been widely tipped as a possible successor.

On Newsnight last night, Ruth Davidson, restated her ‘absolute’ commitment to the 0.7 per cent target, saying that ‘international aid not only benefits…the countries that recieve it but we benefit too’

“It takes moral courage to be one of the leading countries that espouses that, when there are a lot of countries that don’t do it.”

The importance of this issue to the Scottish leader can hardly be overstated. At an event in London a few months ago, she said that the only Westminster job she lusts after is international development secretary, ‘because I think you can do the most good for the most people’.

And when I asked how she came to terms with Conservative colleagues who denounce aid spending, she responded that ‘they’re just wrong’.

This raises an intriguing question about the relationship between Davidson and May. So far, despite their differences of background, political approach and attitude to Brexit, they have presented an entirely united front. So much so that Davidson was invited to introduce the prime minister at Tory conference.

The benefits flow both ways. Davidson’s close relationship with the British Conservatives strengthens her opposition to the SNP juggernaut, while May — whose understanding of Scottish politics leaves a great deal to be desired — will be heavily dependent on Davidson to lead the Conservative campaign north of the border.

What’s more, a close association with her young, gay, socially progressive Scottish counterpart is unquestionably good for the prime minister’s image, balancing out her strait-laced and socially conservative reputation.

As a result, if foreign aid does drive a wedge between the two, progressive parties — especially in Scotland — must exploit it.

The Tories have a long history of giving an impression of unity, even as they fight like cats and dogs behind the scenes. Highlighting an irreparable fracture between their two most popular leaders will put a crack in that illusion.

Westminster critics should highlight that May’s insular, little Englander politics are too extreme even for her own allies in Scotland. And in Edinburgh, Davidson should face relentless questioning as to how she can continue to support a British Conservative Party that on foreign aid — as well as on Brexit and the union — is acting in stark opposition to her values.

After all, shouldn’t Davidson have the ‘moral courage’ to defend the world’s most vulnerable people — even if it means crossing her party leader?

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is editor of Left Foot Forward. Follow her on Twitter.

See: England is the last place on earth the Conservative Party has left to rule

4 Responses to “Foreign aid is the crack in the May-Davidson alliance – progressive parties should exploit it”

  1. Alasdair Macdonald

    Why do so called ‘lefties’ in England seem to think that Ms Ruth Davidson is a good thing and much to be preferred to Ms Nicola Sturgeon? The disparity between her perceived popularity in Scotland and England is as striking as the differences between Scotland and England in the EU referendum result. She is unpopular in Scotland. He party is unpopular in Scotland. Her party support is growing in Scotland only because of the switch of Labour voters to the Tories. Her share of the vote is lower than Mrs Thatcher’s was.
    She defended ‘the rape clause’ strongly. She has turned 180 degrees on her views in the EU referendum. An image of a ‘feisty’, independent (but not Scottish independent) character is being manufactured for the immediate purposes of the GE, and after that, she will revert to what she is.
    I assume Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is in favour of Tory gains in Scotland, for Labour will get none and, probably will lose the one seat it has. Shame on you!

  2. uglyfatbloke

    Davidson (or is it Harrison?) is hardly a progressive person. It’s perfectly possible to be a bossy harridan and gay at the same time.

  3. patrick newman

    I have listened to her several times and I think she is of little substance, intellectually speaking!

  4. How Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister – ObjectiveJournal.com

    […] them over the finishing line. If the Conservatives take a further lurch to right by for example by relinquishing their commitment to ring-fencing 0.7 per cent of the budget to international aid this could swing these […]

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