Press Release
MP Appeals To The Prime Minister
Local MP Tom Clarke is renowned for his activities on behalf of the poorest and most impoverished people in the world made a plea to Prime Minister Gordon Brown at last week’s Question Time.
The MP said: “The situation in Darfur is extremely serious. Although this is an International issue I am heartened by the number of constituents who take the time to contact me. On each occasion I am asked to urge the Government to take further action. That is why I welcomed the steps that the Government took during the recess to support Security Council Resolution, as well as the wider peace agreement in Sudan. However, more needs to be done in order to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to desperate people living in desperate circumstances, so that this carnage can be discontinued”.
The Prime Minister in his reply to Mr Clarke said: “I know that you have taken a huge interest in these matters, and in the future of the whole of Africa. I think the United Nations Resolution that was achieved at the beginning of the summer is now being complemented by the United Nations-African Union forces, who are ready to go to Darfur and to be there on the ground. At the same time, we want an end to hostilities, and there is a sense that all the parties in Darfur may be prepared to bring an end to them as the peace talks begin. The combination of peace talks beginning in the next few days, and the possibility of an end to hostilities, gives us hope that this outrage—which has meant that 2 million people have been displaced, 4 million are in famine and a quarter of a million have died—can soon be brought to an end”.
The MP concluded: “History will record that Darfur was an International scandal. This tragic situation is one of the greatest challenges that the international community faces. But I believe that working together we can and will improve the lives of the people of Darfur. And we will continue working until their suffering is brought to an end. As security improves and people return home we should help them rebuild their lives. After peace we should be prepared to invest in development to address some of the underlying causes of the conflict”.