Tony Blair’s ambitious plans to alleviate the plight of Africa are unlikely to make a “serious difference” in the near future, a leading foreign affairs think tank warned today.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies poured cold water on Mr Blair’s much-vaunted Africa Commission report, describing it as long on ambition but “short on substance and new ideas”.
By Gavin Cordon, PA Whitehall Editor
Tony Blair’s ambitious plans to alleviate the plight of Africa are unlikely to make a “serious difference” in the near future, a leading foreign affairs think tank warned today.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies poured cold water on Mr Blair’s much-vaunted Africa Commission report, describing it as long on ambition but “short on substance and new ideas”.
And it cast doubt on the Prime Minister’s ability to achieve the policy breakthrough he is looking for when he hosts the G8 summit at Gleneagles in July.
“The report was long on ambition, enshrining the intention of major powers to more decisively tackle poverty, governance, corruption, trade and arms control issues in Africa. But it was short on substance and new ideas,” the IISS said in its annual Strategic Survey.
“Blair pledged that the UK would revamp its foreign policy to deal more effectively with these issues.
“It seemed unlikely, however, that the UK, let alone other major powers, could shift policy so radically as to make a serious difference in short order.”
