In 2005 many local people in Pembrokeshire backed the enormous grass-roots 'Make Poverty History' campaign. In response, all the main political parties promised to increase the amount of aid the UK gives to the world's poorest nations. But alongside greater aid spending there needs to be much more rigorous monitoring of how the aid money is spent. Stephen has long criticised the giving of aid to corrupt foreign governments and dictators who abuse human rights.
As a member of the International Development Committee in the Commons, Stephen proved to be a voice for compassion towards to the world's poor but with a tough focus on getting better value for money from our aid spending.
Stephen believes that overseas development is about much more than just financial aid.
He supports Fair Trade initiatives as one way of increasing wealth through trade and business growth.
As the coordinator of Project Umubano, Stephen has responsibility for planning and leading a group of volunteers to Rwanda and Sierre Leone every summer.