'24 Hours for Trade Justice' - June 2003

Following the collapse of the WTO round in Cancun I have been meeting Ministers and the Development NGOs to discuss where we go from here.

The collapse of the talks is in one sense a disaster for the poorest people in the world. Properly regulated improved trading conditions could lift hundreds of millions of the poorest people out of poverty. However, it could also be argued that in the long run the newly found resolve of the poorest 21 to fight the developed nations could yield significant progress. We will have to wait and see.

Below I attach some of the briefings I have received on the issue so far. I hope to be able to add more to the Cancun Pages as things develop.

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As somebody who has always campaigned on Development issues I have been making the link between debt relief, aid and trade for some time. I am therefore pleased to see that the campaign focus of the large campaigning NGOs has recognised this too and put proper weight into the matter. I will be giving the campaign my support.

I support the campaign - but as a constructive critic of some aspects of the campaigners demands. I have attached a few links at the bottom of this page which I hope you will visit to see the arguments in full.

Whilst I have spent a great deal of time campaigning on debt issues I realise that making trade work for the world's poorest would have an even bigger impact. The figures used to demonstrate this are really encouraging.

However, International Trade rules and negotiations are notoriously complex and prolonged. Whilst I have taken the general line of trying to make trade work for the poorest there is often disagreement about how this can be best achieved. Even when the broad goals are similar the specific policy changes along the way can differ. Both parties believe their answers to be 'right' and the most effective for the world's poor.

I take a rather sceptical view of the arguments put forward by all sides as they often are not put together after asking the world's poor what they would like. Whilst I accept much of the analysis of the TJM campaign, I believe much more needs to be done to bridge the gap between reality and a wish list. The rejection of some of the attempts by the UK government to make progress I feel are a little short sighted. In particular the theme of no "New Issues" could in the end be counter productive, in my opinion. Yes it is difficult for many developing countries to cope if more is added to the agenda, but if better and fairer trade can be developed as a consequence then I believe the good that may come out of extending the WTO far outweighs the short term difficulties that may arise.

I have worked closely with most of the organisations involved in the TJM for a number of years. My only criticism of their approach, which I have articulated to their Directors, is their inability to acknowledge properly the progress that is made. It is obvious that NGOs are campaigning organisations who always want more, as I do, but along the way it is vital to recognise the successes and victories. This is especially important when trying to mobilise people into another campaign. I also feel they need to be more realistic in the chances of some of the issues raised becoming policy.

I will be meeting my local Trade Justice Lobby and giving them my support - but will also offer them the same challenge I have given to the Directors of the major NGOs who support this campaign. We are in this together, but we must get it right.

Don't forget to follow the link to Hansard below to the latest debate in the Commons on Wednesday 25th June as well as searching for other times I have raised debt, international trade and justice questions over the last 6 years.

Updated June 2003