DFID managed its portfolio with far greater efficiency than the Foreign Office. But it should improve how it aligns traditional aid objectives with Britain’s goals.
A separate department was right for the stable, hopeful 1990s. But the years have presented various challenges for which it is less well-suited.
Seven changes in all given the recent run of resignations: it all has a bit of a provisional feel.
We should measure the success of our aid programmes by the good we achieve, not simply by the amount of money we spend.
Sadly, neither I nor others have a magic wand to wave but, for starters, the island needs to become far more accessible to the outside world.
The real risk of all this is that it gets praised – but is then quietly filed away. What needs to happen is a change of Foreign Office culture.
Much of politics is teamwork. Can he now create a coalition among Tory MPs, not to mention Party members, that builds on his appeal to many voters?
This is a contribution to the debate – now let’s see what the candidates offer during the week ahead.
His critics claim his appointment as International Development Secretary “could lead to the death of thousands of the world’s poorest people”.
Ultimately, it is economic growth not traditional aid which will support the growing populations of the developing world.
It is an attractive destination, with a friendly population and a fascinating history, but it has been badly let down by officialdom.
“There’s a lot of focus on women in boardrooms…But this is not the place where business is being re-imagined.”
The last in a series of three extracts from a new book of essays from Conservative Friends of International Development and Save the Children.
Mordaunt – like Patel before her – is effective, ambitious, and keenly aware that many Conservative voters are not natural fans of aid spending.
We are not just helping them – we are empowering them to help themselves. That transforms individual lives and helps the region to stabilise.