An apparently innocuous tweet causes outrage
Oxfam has created a storm on social media after tweeting that capitalism is causing extreme poverty.
Legions of supporters have since threatened to stop donating to the giant development charity and have called into question chief executive Mark Golding’s £127,000 salary.
The row began when a Twitter user criticised the charity, saying: "Oxfam’s obsession with inequality is unhelpful. Let’s focus on eradicating poverty through free markets, property rights, and international trade instead."
Oxfam’s official Twitter feed responded: "At the moment we have an extreme form of capitalism that only works for those at the top.
"That is why we are calling for governments to manage our economies so that they work for everyone and not just the fortunate few."
Twitter users questioned if Oxfam had become too political to continue to receive public money. Last year’s accounts showed it received £176million in public funds and its chief executive Mark Goldring was paid £127,000.
James Atkinson tweeted: "Capitalism has lifted more people out of poverty and improved the lives of more people than socialism ever has. I’m unprepared to have your backwards politics pushed down my neck so I’ve just cancelled my donation direct debit. Well done."
Paul Miller tweeted: "When did a respected charity become such a hard-left organisation with the intellectual prowess of your average comprehensive sixth-form?"
Oxfam later tweeted another message, in which it appeared to row back from its criticism of capitalism.
It said: "We recognise the key role that business plays in reducing global poverty but too often our economies are built to reward wealth rather than hard work. That is holding back the fight against poverty. In this shortened tweet we didn’t express this as clearly as we would have liked."
