Party leaders find consensus on World Poverty Day

Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:00 AM

Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in pledging to eradicate world poverty and increase the proportion of UK GDP spent on international development aid.

Speaking at a World Poverty Day rally in London this afternoon, Mr Blair said that wealthy governments could not have the deaths of millions people on their conscience.

Joined by Chancellor Gordon Brown, who drew heavily on his experiences from his recent visit to Africa, the Prime Minister said the West had it within its power to end global poverty.

Earlier in the day, Conservatives' leader Michael Howard argued that the bulk of overseas aid should be directed towards education, allowing third world countries to fulfil their potential.

He was speaking during a visit to the Tabernacle Christian Centre in London, where he described the desire to alleviate put an end to world poverty as both 'noble' and 'necessary'.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was first of the three party leaders to deliver a speech on the issue, as he focused on the 'make poverty history' campaign.

"As a wealthy, prosperous country, it is up to Britain to take positive action to make poverty history", said the Lib Dem leader.

Despite suggestions the three main parties are agreed on levels of international development, the Liberal Democrats pledge to increase aid to 0.7 per cent of UK GDP by 2011 "at the latest", while Labour and the Conservatives commit to this target for 2013.

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