LOCAL MP Stephen Doughty spoke in Parliament this week and praised the work of Penarth and District Lesotho Trust, Penarth Fair Trade Forum and local schools.

He was speaking in Labour’s opposition day debate on international development on Wednesday, January 28, which was called to highlight the differences between the current coalition government’s policies on international development, and Labour’s commitment to tackling such vital issues.

Stephen said: “We need to consider the opportunities of fairer trade, which would benefit this country and developing countries. I am glad to say that many organisations and individuals in my constituency recognise that fact, and do some incredible campaigning work to raise these issues locally and put the pressure on internationally, too.

“I am thinking of organisations such as the Penarth and District Lesotho Trust, of which I am proud to be a patron. It has been operating for 10 years, supporting a schools and churches link with Teyateyaneng in Lesotho, and supporting a library and other community work there; there are strong links with the local schools of St Cyres and Stanwell in my constituency.

“The Penarth fair trade forum has set up a local fair trade business directory, has gained the support of the town council, does fundraising and has held fair trade fashion shows. Indeed, last year it had a fair trade public speaking competition for local schools on the question, “Is fair trade a load of bananas?” That sort of work, bringing in the younger generation, enables the pressure to be built up and the consensus to be developed.”

2015 is an historic year for development, when countries will come together at the UN in September to agree sustainable development goals, and in Paris in December to agree a framework to tackle climate change.

Stephen added: “Fundamentally, it is a moral case that everyone is born the same and deserves the same opportunity.”

Stephen’s full speech is available to read here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2015-01-28a.925.0&s=speaker%3A25166#g954.0