On Tuesday 10th September, the Coalition were delighted to co-host a packed room in the House of Commons to mark the 10 Year Anniversary Reception of the Labour Campaign for International Development (LCID) with The Right Honourable Gordon Brown.

The Coalition heard from senior figures in the Labour Party including The Rt Hon Gordon Brown, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Shadow DFID Secretary Dan Carden MP, Shadow DFID Minister Preet Gill MP, Stephen Twigg MP, Stephen Doughty MP, Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Alison McGovern MP and Lord Jack McConnell.

The event brought together Labour parliamentarians, LCID members and civil society to celebrate Labour’s commitment to improving the lives of people across the globe and to reaffirm the importance of the Labour Party's internationalism and the international development agenda.

LCID Founder David Taylor opened the event by welcoming guests and outlining the Labour Party’s record on International Development.

Chief Executive of the Coalition for Global Prosperity, Theo Clarke, told guests that she was proud to co-host this event and stressed that Britain must and should continue to be a force for good in the world. She noted that spent sensibly, the UK can transform lives in the poorest parts of the world and make the UK more prosperous in turn.

Speeches were kicked off by Chair of the International Development Select Committee Stephen Twigg MP, who powerfully stated that although he will step down as an MP at the next general election, he will not stand down from the cause for International Development.

Labour MP Alison McGovern then praised LCID and the progress that has been accomplished as a result of their work, particularly around getting 0.7% enshrined into law. She went on to warn that the values behind International Development are under threat globally, and argued it is vital that we continue to demonstrate the case for development.

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown opened his speech by addressing the Syrian aid organisations in the room, stating "we should do more to help and we will." He spoke proudly of Labour's record in Government on International Development, arguing that debt relief and advancing equality was at the heart of every international strategy.

“Britain should be a Global leader in aid, in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and in changing the world for good.”

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP

Shadow International Development Secretary Dan Carden MP then told guests that the next Labour Government would build on the agenda of the last with regards to International Development.

“We will only ever end poverty by tackling its structural causes, and if we want public support, then we need to show that the fight against poverty and inequality is global.”

Dan Carden MP

Stephen Doughty MP paid tribute to Labour's record on international development, in particular under the leadership of Rt Hon Gordon Brown.

“We need to understand that this [International Development] is in our common interest, it’s in the interest of the countries, partners, the fellow humans we share this planet with. It’s in our common interest and that’s why we have to act.”

Stephen Doughty MP

Dr Rosena Allin Khan MP then paid tribute to all the hard work that British aid workers do to alleviate extreme poverty across the world, and recalled her own experiences working in Bangladesh and the West Bank.

“The UK has a proud tradition of helping the most vulnerable. As a humanitarian doctor, I have seen the worst of humanity and the tragedies people face. We must continue to fight to make the world a healthier, safer and more prosperous place for everyone.”

Dr Rosena Allin Khan MP

Former First Minister for Scotland Lord Jack McConnell then stated that the cause of International Development needs to remain high on the political agenda for the Labour party and the need to focus on achieving the SDGs.

“Delivering the Global Goals by 2030 will help end extreme poverty, build peace and tackle climate change. We need a decade of delivery to secure a sustainable future for all.”

Lord Jack McConnell

Former Secretary of State for DFID, Hilary Benn MP, spoke positively of his time serving under both Gordon Brown and Tony Blair’s governments. He stated that due to globalisation, our neighbours are now not only those who live on our street, but those who live on the other side of the world.

“In the end, development in other countries is not about us turning up as a nice former colonial power to say we’ve come to help you develop, it is about people improving their own lives for the better with our assistance.”

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

The speeches concluded with Shadow DFID Minister, Preet Gill MP, pledging that a future Labour Government would have a feminist approach to International Development.