David Lepper signs up to world poverty campaign

Brighton Pavilion Labour and Co-operative MP David Lepper is one of over 190 Members of Parliament who have added their names to a Commons Early Day Motion calling on Tony Blair and the other G8 leaders to take urgent action to end global poverty and avert potentially catastrophic climate change.

The G8 Summit, which starts on 6 June in Germany, is key to ensuring that not only do the rich countries deliver on the commitments they made at the Gleneagles Summit in 2005, but they also make further, far-reaching promises. Urgent action is needed on debt cancellation, on more and better aid, on trade justice, on healthcare, education, water and sanitation for all, and to prevent catastrophic climate change.

In the UK, over 90 campaigning organisations have joined forces to arrange a mass anti-poverty rally in Westminster on Saturday 2 June, to show the G8 leaders that the world is watching and the world can’t wait.

David Lepper said:

“It is imperative that the G8 member states live up to their commitments to eradicate poverty and tackle climate change, so I will be urging the UK government to take stronger action and use its influence in Europe and the G8. I will also be encouraging my constituents and their friends and families to sign up to the campaign and to travel to London on 2 June to ensure that their voices are heard in the fight against poverty.”

Matt Phillips, head of campaigns at Save the Children, said: "It's critical MPs back this campaign - words mean nothing without action. 2005 saw a huge public mandate for dramatic action to make poverty history. But we need more urgency because children are missing out on healthcare and education. Rich countries must act, the world can't wait.”