Anneliese Dodds has resigned as International Development Minister in protest against the prime minister's cuts to the international aid budget, which were aimed at increasing defense spending. Dodds articulated concerns in her resignation letter about the detrimental impact these cuts would have on food and healthcare for vulnerable populations and the UK's reputation on the global stage. She highlighted potential withdrawals from multiple nations and international bodies, emphasizing the necessity for a united cabinet in light of external geopolitical challenges. Though supportive of increased defense, Dodds expressed disappointment over the approach taken regarding overseas development assistance.
In her resignation letter, Dodds warned that the cut would "also likely lead to a UK pull-out from numerous African, Caribbean and Western Balkan nations - at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence."
Dodds said the post-war global order had "come crashing down" and that she welcomed an increase in defence spending, stating she stood ready to work with the Prime Minister on it.
The MP said it was with "sadness" that she was resigning, emphasizing her belief that Starmer was not "ideologically opposed" to international development.
Defending the move, the prime minister said it was "not a decision I wanted to make" but added there was "no driver of migration and poverty like conflict."
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