Andrew Mitchell MP comes to Thurrock.
Shadow International Development Minister pledges support

Stephen Metcalfe, prospective Conservative Memember of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock welcomed Andrew Mitchell MP, Shadow International Development Minister when he joined various Thurrock based Charities on Friday lunchtime.

The event was held and hosted by Thurrock Christian Fellowship and sought to create a two way dialogue between those who are supporting International Development Projects around the world and those who will potentially be creating the policy framework to support them.

The account is written by Lucy Doggett, who is a young international politics student who attended the event - it is worth noting that Lucy is not a member of any political party.

This is her unedited account.

On Friday I had the pleasure of attending a Charity Round Table event at Thurrock Christian Fellowship in Corringham, organised by Phil Anderson (prospective councillor for Stanford East and Corringham Town) and Stephen Metcalfe (prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock). The guest speaker was Andrew Mitchell MP, Conservative Shadow Secretary for International Development.

The audience included a good mix of charity leaders, volunteers, and political activists. Andrew had a chance to hear presentations on three international aid projects that local people are involved in. Emma Biddle spoke on the work of EHSO, a charity supporting orphans and tsunami victims in Chennai, India, which has strong links with Thurrock. Andy Acreman then described the humanitarian aid projects in Kosovo led by local church members, and Russell Godward gave us an insight into the work of Thurrock Christian Fellowship in Uganda. Finally, Holly Anderson (13) gave a passionate account of her visit to the EHSO orphanage in India and how the experience of helping out in a poor country has affected her as a young person.

Stephen Metcalfe introduced Andrew Mitchell, who outlined why he believes that supporting poorer countries is both ‘morally right and in our national interest’. This was followed by a question and answer session in which Andrew had to tackle a range of challenging subjects varying from international trade deals to the price of bananas in Asda!

Holly Anderson said of the event:
“It was really interesting to hear about the international projects run in Thurrock and to learn what would be done in international development should the Conservatives win the election”.

The occasion was a great success, giving local people an opportunity to engage in the vital issue of international aid and development and how Britain can help tackle the problems facing the world’s poorest nations.

(Lucy Doggett is a student studying International Politics at the University of Surrey)

Pictured (LtoR)Phil Anderson, Cllr Tony Ball, Andrew Mitchell MP, Stephen Metcalfe & James Halden. Leading Tory avoids banana skins in Corringham

Posted 9/4/10

HOME