Murray says "Make Poverty History"

9.10.52pm GMT Fri 18th Feb 2005

Jim Murray, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Crosby, has backed the campaign for decisive action to tackle global poverty in 2005.

He said: "Many people in Crosby and Formby give generously of their time and cash to support good causes in the developing world. Many of them will be backing the efforts of the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, to bring this issue to the top of the international agenda. I have little hesitation in joining them. It would be churlish of me not to do so, just because Mr. Brown is a member of a different political party."

Councillor Murray did say that the Liberal Democrats have some reservations about the precise mechanism for tackling global poverty that the Chancellor is currently proposing. Nevertheless, Murray said that the Liberal Democrats have long been committed to increasing the UK's international aid budget to 0.7% of Gross National Product - in line with a target set by the United Nations. The aim would be to achieve this over the period of two governments. Party policy is also fully supportive of the Millennium Development Goals, that commit the international community to:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

• Achieve universal primary education.

• Promote gender equality and empower women.

• Reduce child mortality.

• Improve maternal health.

• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

• Ensure environmental sustainability.

• Develop a global partnership for development.