Left Foot Forward’s website is back up, posting this:
“[International Development Secretary Andrew] Mitchell was quick to claim that the perception created by the leak was “total and utter bollocks” and that any new Government had the right to a “bottom up” review of existing practice. Mitchell insists that his new approach – focusing on results rather than budget lines – is the only way to win public support for development in a tightened spending environment.”
The folks at Left Foot Forward have a great report of their meeting with Mitchell (read it here, along with an overview of the Labor Party’s record on foreign aid).
They conclude, “Andrew Mitchell, fresh from a trip to Pakistan, deserves praise for reaching out to his critics and clearly explaining the rationale behind his plans. But questions remain over what will replace the list of cherished commitments, whether it will genuinely deliver results, and what impact it will have on other countries – like Japan and Italy – who barely need an excuse to cut aid. We’ll be watching all the way.”