Brian Mathew

Brian Mathew

Liberal Democrat — Melksham and Devizes

Speaking in the House of Commons on 10 June 2025

Debate

USAID Funding Pause

Contribution

I thank everyone who has spoken today; I am minded of the words of Jo Cox, who said that there is more that unites us than divides us. If we look back to the formation of the original Overseas Development Administration, that was under a Labour Government, as was the Department for International Development. But it was under the Lib Dem-Conservative coalition that the 0.7% of GNI was reached, so we have much to be proud of in terms of what we have done and what we need to do. The hon. Member for Norwich North (Alice Macdonald) mentioned the “Make Poverty History” speech by Nelson Mandela in Trafalgar Square. I was there, right at the front of the crowd. It was a proud day indeed. I will end with another quote from JFK, because I think it is important to focus our minds. We choose to do the right things “not because they are easy, but because they are hard”. We need to stand up for aid and for people. Let us focus our minds on that and not just on rhetoric. The buck stops not just in Washington, but here. Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).

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