The
India that Susan Kramer, Lib-Dem MP for Richmond Park, visited last year was
not the land of call centres and Bollywood we often hear about. In her
capacity as party spokesperson for International Development she met
subsistence farmers in Andhra Pradesh and clothing workers in Tamil Nadu,
and went to education projects in Delhi. She spoke about her visit at a
meeting organised by Barnes One World Link in January this year. We were
delighted to have an opportunity to hear about her time in India and more
generally her thoughts on development issues.
Economic growth has of course affected different groups in society very differently with small farmers struggling to compete against more commercial organisations. In the clothing industry Susan said her trip had shown her that campaigning for better working conditions is effective. Consumer pressure can ensure that companies do check up on their suppliers.
Susan Kramer showed her commitment to tackling poverty as she answered questions and discussed a range of issues. She will, I am sure, take this commitment with her to her new role as party spokesperson on Trade and Industry. Many people believe a better deal for poor countries on trade would do more to lift people out of poverty than increased aid ever can.