So the G8 summit is over, the documents are out and the verdicts are in.
1. The devil really is in the details. The 10 point Declaration is replete with "should" rather than "we will". This is disappointing but perhaps it is unrealistic to have expected anything but. The 24 page Communique does have more detail within it--some quite specific--and will provide grist for the various G8 Accountability mechanisms to grind out the truth.
2. The UK government made it really difficult for itself. One T would have been a challenge, but 3? Admittedly the Transparency and Tax T's are strongly linked, but Trade is a massive issue that surely deserves a singular focus.
3. Syria. There is usually a crisis or two that disrupts the nonemergency agenda, and Syria was it this time, but it is not so usual that the crisis involves G8 members so directly in the security space. This must have taken a lot of energy away from the other agendas.
Ultimately, though, Lough Erne will best be judged a year from now and perhaps 5 years from now.
Nevertheless Prime Minister Cameron deserves credit for getting Tax and Transparency onto the agenda. But as one commentator said (I can't find the exact quote), the PM must not be seen to be the "geek doing the homework for the other kids". He has to show sustained leadership to get them to do their own.
Some unguarded reflections, thoughts, and ideas on international development from Lawrence Haddad. These opinions are not necessarily representative of or endorsed by GAIN.
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