Twin with poor town (From Gazette Series)

Twin with poor town

STROUD MP David Drew has suggested twinning Dursley with a town in the developing world as part of a strategy to help make poverty history.

Speaking last Friday at the annual Churches Together in Cam, Dursley and District meeting at Rednock School, Mr Drew gave a lecture entitled Will We Make Poverty History ?

He outlined the progress of the global campaign and the importance of continued pressure on the British government and businesses.

Mr Drew said everybody could help diminish poverty.

"When finding ways of helping, I think that twinning a local town with one in the developing world would be a good idea," said the MP.

"I think the move could be very meaningful and mark a significant difference."

Mr Drew, who recently visited Uganda, emphasised that the Make Poverty History campaign is not a quick fix to the developing world's troubles.

"Although I have seen that help is getting through to Africa, we have to accept that debt is not going to be wiped out after just a series of meetings," he said. "We have to be in it for the long haul."

Referring to the recent G8 meetings in Edinburgh, the Stroud MP said that British people should feel pride in what they had achieved so far, but added that nobody should be complacent.

"We need the British people to lead the politicians," he stressed.

"Now is not the time to say 'we have done our bit' and sit back. People have to keep up the pressure on the government to deliver what they have promised."

Christian Aid campaign manager Justin MacMullan backed up Mr Drew, calling on people to continue their support for the campaign.

"We have to keep pushing countries, such as our own, to deliver the aid and support they have promised," Mr MacMullan said.

"2005 is a brilliant start for what is now going to be a very long journey in battling world poverty," he added.

Mr Drew's suggestion of twinning Dursley with a town in Africa has been welcomed by residents of the town.

Lionel Jones, Dursley Tabernacle secretary, said: "I think twinning Dursley with a developing world town is an excellent idea, it could bring bright opportunities to both sets of residents."