Shifting the Overton window? Global development in the Liberal Party 2024 Election Manifesto

The Lib Dems tend to be stronger than other parties in global development policies in their manifestos, and this one does not disappoint. The global development offering from the Liberal Party 2024 manifesto is framed within an approach to the global stage based on the ‘vital liberal values’ of ‘democracy, liberty, human rights and the rule of law’. It also contains the most detail of any of the main party manifestos. Here we have actual policy commitments and detail. And it’s approach, like the Labour Party, rests on a restored internationalisation approach built on engaged partnerships with the global community, regions and nations.

So what is it promising in global development policy? Like Labour, it deliberately shifts away from the Britain-first approach, to focus on poverty reduction rather than British economic or security interests. To do this, it will:

• Reverse cuts to aid funding (no time-frame, but still less vaguely worded than ‘when fiscal conditions allow – this is a commitment to a definite shift back to the 0.7% target as soon as possible).

• Putting the SDGs at the heart of UK aid policy.

• Establishing partnerships which are ‘rooted in local needs and developed on grounds of mutual respect’.

• Ensuring aid spending is ‘consistent with OECD/DAC rules and guidelines, and with UK legislation’. In other words, ensuring poverty reduction and economic development in the partner country is the main purpose of aid.

• It will increase the proportion of aid spending on climate change, in line with UK commitments to climate justice.

• Specific areas mentioned include a commitment to spending 15% of UK aid on education in vulnerable areas, with a particular focus on girls and young women; and tackling food insecurity, especially through life-saving nutrition interventions.

The Lib Dems strong record in advocating specific, well-thought out policies is continued in this manifesto, reflecting a strong team of advisors on global development in the party.

To anyone who feels that saying aid spending will be in accordance with the rules, law and definitions is a statement of the obvious – you’d like to think so, but you’d be wrong. The Conservative government has repeatedly tried to stretch definitions to include military-related spending. And it has sought to link aid spending to things such as establishing post-Brexit trade deals, as well as its promise to put British interests first in global development policy. This is a real, meaningful and important commitment.

There is much debate about whether the SDGs represent a well-thought out and coherent set of polices that can address poverty and vulnerability in a time of climate emergency; or a further extension of damaging neo-liberal approaches. But putting this internationally-agreed approach at the heart of UK global development and aid policy and spending is sensible.

Increasing the proportion of UK aid for climate justice is more problematic, perhaps: it is vital to increase spending in this area, but not at the cost of spending on global development. The commitment by donors was always intended to be for ‘new and additional’ funding, precisely to avoid the raiding of global development or humanitarian aid pots. But pretty much all donors have done precisely that. Restoring UK aid to the 0.7% will compensate to some extent for this raiding of budgets, but given the Lib Dems otherwise thoughtful and detailed approach to manifesto commitments in global development and climate change, a commitment to addressing this issue would have been welcome.

But still, of the main manifestos, this is the most interesting, detailed and compelling. On the one hand, the likelihood of a Labour landslide will reduce any possible influence the Lib Dems could have on Labour policy. And yet, the party and its supporters – most of whom will share these values – will be an important part of any wider movement to fundamentally address global development and climate challenges, to make the case for increased aid spending, and for potential restructuring for the architecture of UK global development. Having a broad, cross-party constituency to counter the inevitable voices of reaction and resistance could help move the Overton window in relation to UK global development policy in ways that will be enormously positive.