Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 31 March 2009.
May I first wish the hon. Gentleman a very happy birthday? [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear!"] That clearly commands support in all parts of the House.
This is not about imposing models of democracy, but about assisting with the development of good governance. I share the hon. Gentleman's view that good governance in Africa needs stability, growth and development. That is the purpose of the work that we do in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in DFID. I can assure him that we will work closely not only with Governments but with non-governmental organisations, civil society and the media to give them a voice in ensuring that their countries can be stable, absent from the bloodshed that he mentions, and can move forward.