Lib Dem candidates back World Poverty Day

11.17.53am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th Apr 2005

Brighton & Hove's Liberal Democrat candidates Marina Pepper, Hazel Thorpe and Paul Elgood are all backing the Make Poverty History campaign.

To mark World Poverty Day, Charles Kennedy said:

"Britain is a wealthy country, a prosperous country. It is the duty of countries such of ours, with the means to help, to take action to make poverty history. The world's conscience is stirred by the horror of war or the tragedy of a natural disaster. It should be stirred, too, by poverty and deprivation and lack of opportunity

"It is not only the right thing to do, it is in our national interest too.

In an increasingly inter-connected world, problems - and responsibilities - have become internationalised. Only strong and concerted action by states in partnership will achieve sustainable development.