Preston couple visit Parliament to call for new Debt Justice Law

Margaret and Michael Cronin at Parliament.

A couple from Preston have visited Parliament to call for a new Debt Justice Law.

Margaret Cornin, a retired mental health nurse, and her husband, Michael, joined other campaigners to address the global debt crisis to help the world’s poorest countries.

The law aims to create a fairer global system for low-income countries facing debt by targeting ‘loan-shark’ behaviour.

Fifty-four countries are believed to spend more on payments to banks than on health or education.

Margaret said: “We attended the parliamentary reception as we are both committed to social justice and are convinced that the debt campaign is vital if we are to fulfil our obligations to the developing world and help them climb out of poverty.

“The debt trap means that so many countries are spending more on paying back these debts with their crippling interest rates than they are able to spend on health and education.”

Mr and Mrs Cronin are both committed parish volunteers for CAFOD at Our Lady and St Gerard’s Lostock Hall and have hosted four evening meetings to discuss issues such as debt justice and climate change with local parishioners.

At the reception Margaret and Michael were able to meet their MP for South Ribble, Paul Foster, to raise their concerns about the impact unfair debt has on vulnerable nations.

Margaret and Michael with their MP for South Ribble, Paul Foster.

Speakers at the event included Anneliese Dodds, former Minister of State for Development, and Brian Maeba, from CAFOD partner Jesuit Hakimani Centre, who spoke about the debt crisis in his own country.

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, which arranged the event, is encouraging anyone concerned about the global debt crisis to write to their MP.

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