Emily Joins Make Poverty History Lobby

Wednesday 2nd November 2005

Thousands of people took part in a mass lobby for trade justice outside the Houses of Parliament.  Despite the rain, people queued up to meet their MP to talk to them about trade justice.  Emily met a group of constituents from Islington South and Finsbury to discuss the matter.  She agreed to write to Alan Johnson MP, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about making trade fair.

Emily has signed a Parliamentary Motion (EDM 679) which states that trade justice is a vital part of making poverty history. Emily has also asked a number of Parliamentary Questions to Ministers about what the UK is doing to improve access to water for the world’s poorest.

Emily said:

‘To improve the plight of the poorest people in the world we have ensure that the terms of trade are fair. I am glad that the UK is recognised as a world leader on International Development, but there are still huge problems. Developing countries should be allowed to decide on their own trade policies rather having the opening of markets imposed on them.  The mass lobby has demonstrated how important this issue is to those from Islington.  People think that something needs to be done about this. I am calling for trade justice and will be writing to Alan Johnson. I have also been taking  up the issue of access to water and sanitation in developing countries.’

Rev Chris Brice, a constituent of Islington South and Finsbury said:

‘This lobby is taking place as we want the west to help the poorest countries. We want the UK to use its clout in the EU so the EU can adopt our demands. We want Emily to bend Alan Johnson’s ear.’

Another constituent, Heather Tailby said:

‘We want poor countries to decide on their own trade policies. We also need to protect poor farmers. I spoke to Emily and she agreed to write to Alan Johnson’.

EDM 679

That this House believes that trade justice is vital if making poverty history is to be achieved; notes that December's World Trade Organisation (WTO) summit presents a key moment in the Doha Development Round; believes that the UK Government should not push developing countries to open up their markets but should respect their right to decide on trade policies that will help them end poverty, respect workers' rights and protect their environment; and calls on the Government to work with its partners in the European Union to change the European Commissioner's approach in order to ensure that WTO agreements allow developing countries to use trade policies to protect the livelihoods of their poor farmers and develop their own sustainable economic strength, and to choose the best policies for poor people and the environment in services such as water, health and education.