ActionAid works to influence the international development policies of British political parties and help parliament to hold the British Government to account.

Parliament
MPs and peers play an important role in scrutinising the Government’s policies, through debates, questions and select committee inquiries. ActionAid works with parliamentarians from all parties to help them to hold the Government to account on its international development policies and practices.

Labour
As the current governing party, in power for a decade, the policies of the Labour party shape the current thinking and direction of the Government’s international development policies. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, along with Tony Blair, have put more energy into global poverty issues than their immediate predecessors.

The Labour party manifesto has been an important driver for Government action and Labour members and supporters have been important in pushing for clear manifesto commitments.

The Labour party is beginning to consider ideas and options for its next election manifesto. Its manifesto process for international development policies is called 'Britain in the world'. Visit Labour’s Britain in the World website.

Conservatives
As the main opposition party the Conservatives play an important role in holding the Labour Government to account.

Upon his election as new Conservative party leader, David Cameron announced the formation of six policy commissions which would recommend policies fit for the inclusion in a future Conservative general election manifesto. These commissions are composed of Conservative members and independent experts and are consulting widely.

The Globalisation and Global Poverty Group is chaired by Peter Lilley MP and reported in summer 2007, read our response..

Liberal Democrats
As the third party in British politics the Liberal Democrats have carved out a reputation as an independent voice on international issues.

As the newest leader among the three main parties, Nick Clegg has the opportunity to develop a distinctive set of global poverty policies that build on the emerging cross-party consensus yet seek to go beyond it.

The Liberal Democrats have launched an online consultation on all of their policies in preparation for the next general election. Visit the Liberal Democrats online consultation here.