Dodds resignation: Cutting aid to fund defence like “robbing Peter to pay Paul”

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Commenting on Anneliese Dodds’ resignation, Monica Harding MP, Liberal Democrat International Affairs Spokesperson, said:

"Anneliese Dodds has done the right thing. The Government’s position on the international aid cut is unsustainable.

"Increasing defence spending to 2.5% is the right thing to do as the global threats we face intensify. But doing so by cutting the international aid budget is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. The Government hasn’t even carried out an impact assessment. 

"Diplomacy, development and defence are not competing priorities – they are complementary. Where we withdraw our aid, it's Russia and China who will fill the vacuum.”

ENDS