Muammar Al Khadafi

Hat tip to the Spectator for delivering an interesting interview with International Development secretary Andrew Mitchell. It's not that he really says much new, rather parroting all the old cliches and pro foreign aid mantras, but it is at least timely.

Interview
Right from the get go Mr Mitchell seems to think Somalia is a great example to extol to us the benefits of our massive foreign aid expenditure.

"We give aid not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is in Britain’s national self-interest. When I was in Somalia, I saw first-hand how tackling conflict and poverty "at source" makes more sense than leaving problems to fester and threaten British interests in the form of terrorism, migration and piracy" says Mitchell.

Is that the same Somalia which is - apparently - so dangerous now that the European Court of Human Rights has just ruled that we cannot deport Somalian criminals back there? The same Somalia that is home to terror training camps, and of which MI5 boss Jonathan Evans has warned that a large number of UK residents were receiving terrorist training there?

"There are a significant number of UK residents training in Al Shabaab camps to fight in the insurgency there...I am concerned that it is only a matter of time before we see terrorism on our streets inspired by those who are today fighting alongside Al Shabaab" said Evans back in September 2010.

Wow, all of our money really seems to be making a difference then, we've achieved wonders in making Somalia into a land of harmony and peace then. Have some more money, it'd be a shame not to follow up on those successes!

On to India, with it's space programme, but that's okay, we'll still give them money. As Mr Mitchell tells us, "Our aid programme in India is changing. We’ve frozen the level of funding and from now on we are focusing on the poorest states".

Fine then, we'll all but absolve India from spending on its poorest states, we'll pay the bills instead. They can spend the cash on their space programme, we'll make sure that poor people there are lifted out of poverty. And there was silly me thinking that the Indian government might - just might mind you - be expected to take some responsibility for its own people.

Read the interview for yourself, it's all the old chestnuts straight off the foreign aid is brilliant cribsheet. "It's in our interest!" - perhaps they think if they keep repeating that often enough we'll actually believe it, or at least get so sick of hearing it that we'll just nod and change the subject.

One forever hears all these great sounding catchphrases, but not one politician ever really seems to offer a solid reason why it is actually in Britains interest that we pay out ever increasing amounts to foreign nations. A few may get rich from foreign aid, it may keep many bureaucrats in jobs, but Britain seemingly benefits little.