International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill

Stephen Pound Excerpts

Friday 5th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mark Reckless]

No, I want to finish my point.

I say again that that polling is simply ignored by a cosy cartel of establishment parties that put aside what their constituents want and displace it with what they want instead—

[Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab)]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Mark Reckless]

Then they vote that into law, which I oppose.

[Stephen Pound]

I am a member of the establishment!

[Mark Reckless]

I give way.

[Stephen Pound]

Thank you very much indeed. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is aware that, every month, 30 million people support charities. May I remind him that this is not an either/or? Many of those people wish not only to give money personally but to see their country, their nation, supporting people who have nothing when we have so much. Will he at least accept the fact that there is a spirit of decency, generosity and giving abroad in the land, even if it has not quite become apparent to him yet?

[Mark Reckless]

I do accept that spirit, and I believe that people deserve great credit when they give voluntarily, out of their own resources. What I object to is Members of this House forcing people to give their money to overseas aid through the force of law, when only 7% of our electorate support that course of action.