Speaker did not accept amendment on foreign aid, instead opting for a vote that would not be legally binding
Lindsay Hoyle is learning how to work an audience. When the Speaker announced that he would not be accepting Andrew Mitchell’s amendment to restore the government’s commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income on overseas aid, you could almost hear the cheers in Downing Street. The potential for major embarrassment ahead of this weekend’s G7 meeting in Cornwall had been averted.
Or not. Because moments later, Hoyle went on to say that he would be open to an emergency debate the following day if one were to be requested. In a point of order, Mitchell needed no second invitation. He assured the house he had the necessary numbers to win by a majority of between nine and 20 and, though disappointed the vote would not now be legally binding, the debate would give parliament the chance to express its will on the government’s unilateral decision to break its manifesto commitment and cut overseas aid by 0.2%. Hoyle looked on in satisfaction. It felt good not to be the complete pushover that many had feared after all. Being a bit of a pushover was just fine.
