Eric Joyce

Labour Party | Falkirk

Government Minister Joins Falkirk West MP In Local Meeting On ‘Trade, Aid & Helping The World’s Poor’

International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas MP, made a quick stop in Larbert last week to join Falkirk West MP, Eric Joyce, at a meeting organised by the local MP on ‘Trade, Aid & Helping the World’s Poor’.

The meeting held in the Larbert Pentecostal Church on the evening of Wed 16th June was open to all of the people of Falkirk West and invites were sent to local church groups and schools as well as constituents who had previously contacted Eric expressing views on International Development issues. Representatives form leading charities, Oxfam and Christian Aid, were also in attendance.

International Development Minister Gareth Thomas outlined some of the achievements made by the Government since 1997 in the International Development arena and then took questions from the assembled audience.

Speaking today, Eric Joyce MP said

‘Over the last few years a number of constituents have contacted me expressing views and concerns on International Development issues. I though it was important, specifically in advance of the UK’s Presidency of the G8 in 2005, to get those constituents together with a Government Minister to add strength and weight to the campaign against poverty in developing countries.

A lot has been achieved in the last seven years to help poorer countries. However, those of us who believe that globalisation must also mean justice on a global scale understand the need for all G8 countries, including the UK, to recommit to an improved trading regime and agree significant increases in aid to help in the fight against poverty, disease and death in developing countries. ’