Cameron recruits Geldof to aid Tory rethink on poverty

Michael White, political editor
Wednesday December 28, 2005
The Guardian

  David Cameron yesterday staged another eyecatching repositioning of the Conservative party when he announced the launch of a wide-ranging policy review on globalisation and global poverty in which Bob Geldof will act as a consultant.   Party officials were quick to emphasise that the Irish ex-rocker is acting in a "non-partisan" role - "we're not saying he's suddenly become a Tory," said Peter Lilley, the MP who will chair the panel. In a statement the new Tory leader, who has already announced similar commissions on social justice and the environment, explained his thinking in prioritising the issue. "This summer, millions of British people took part in the Make Poverty History campaign," he said. "A new generation of concerned citizens want prosperity for themselves and progress for the poor - whether living on the other side of the street or the other side of the world. Modern, compassionate Conservatism means responding to their demands."                          Article
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Mr Lilley, a former social security secretary who will meet Sir Bob in early January to pick other review panel members, was an economic consultant working on development projects in Africa from 1966-72 before becoming an investment adviser on oil, a banker and later an MP. He said last night that he would approach the subject with "an open mind, but not an empty head" and with great faith in the capacity of Africans to solve their own problems with some help rather than with the "rather patronising attitudes" he sometimes encountered, even from aid agencies. The group will tackle:   · The impact of globalisation and free trade on poverty and sustainability;   · Tensions between the World Trade Organisation, economic fairness and environmentalism;   · The role of the EU, its farm and aid policies;   · Ways of strengthening civil society and the rule of law;   · The UK's role in relation to the World Bank, IMF and other multilateral agencies;   · The UK's bilateral role in aid,
 disaster relief and prevention and the role of micro-lending.   Mr Cameron said he hoped the review would "develop ideas to enable the economic empowerment of the poorest people on our planet - for example, through property rights and other institutions to promote economic development and wealth creation." He added that Sir Bob (though remaining entirely non-partisan) would "bring his influence to bear, in order to help us to go in the direction that he and we both want to go".   Mr Lilley said Sir Bob, the moving spirit behind Live Aid and last summer's Live 8, held in six cities to add pressure to the G8 summit in Gleneagles, would retain his access to both political camps, including Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.   "He's done it all for 20 years and knows everyone," he said.





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