Moray SNP News
LOCHHEAD SLAMS HEARTLESS TORY CUTS TO INTERNATIONAL AID
14/07/2021MSP SADDENED THAT MORAY MP VOTED TO SLASH AID BUDGET DURING GLOABAL PANDEMIC
Richard Lochhead MSP has expressed his deep disappointment that Moray’s Conservative MP yesterday voted to cut international aid despite the global pandemic.
Backbench Tory rebels forced a vote through Parliament yesterday afternoon, but all six of Scotland’s Tory MPs voted to back cuts that have been criticised by the Church of Scotland, former Tory Prime Ministers, and former Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson.
The Church of Scotland has described the decision as a “moral failure”, whilst Ruth Davidson tweeted that the cuts were a “bloody disgrace”.
Commenting Mr Lochhead said:
“It is completely shameful that Boris Johnson’s Tory Government is pressing ahead with devastating cuts to international aid in the middle of a global pandemic, and I can’t express how disappointed I am that Moray’s MP has backed these disgraceful cuts.
“Not only has the Tory Government broken its own manifesto commitments, and the UK’s moral responsibilities, but they’re willingly going down a road that they know will cost lives across the world.
“We find ourselves with a morally bankrupt, populist UK Government that plans to spend hundreds of millions of pounds of a new national yacht that no one wants and at the same time is cutting international aid.
“In recent days we’ve seen former Tory Prime Ministers including John Major and David Cameron speaking out against these cuts, and the Church of Scotland has described this decision as a moral failure.
“In the midst of a global pandemic international aid to support the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people is needed more than ever. That the Tory Government is slashing international aid at a time of global crisis is quite simply morally reprehensible.
“I’m deeply saddened that instead of choosing to do what is right, our local MP has toed the line and backed these heartless cuts.”
Former Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement can be found here:
https://twitter.com/David_Cameron/status/1414979176113885189?s=20
Former Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson’s tweet:
https://twitter.com/RuthDavidsonPC/status/1414972022577324036?s=20
Church of Scotland statement can be read here:
