Live 8 truly historic event - Hughes and Hunter

8.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 2nd Jul 2005

Mark Hunter - "World leaders must listen"

Local Lib Dem Mark Hunter was today joined in Cheadle by Liberal Democrat Party President Simon Hughes MP in urging local residents to back the Live 8 events.

Mark Hunter has already given his support to nine marchers from Trinity United Reformed Church in Cheadle on the Make Poverty History march and has been wearing his Make Poverty History armband in a show of support.

Local Lib Dem Mark Hunter said: "The world's eyes will be focused on the upcoming G8 conference at Gleneagles. The world's leaders sitting round the table have an historic opportunity to address some of the most critical issues of our time."

"The terrible reality is that 30,000 children die everyday as a result of poverty and preventable diseases. This is an intolerable reality and I believe the world's rich countries must work in partnership with those in the developing world to achieve a world free from poverty."

Liberal Democrat Party President Simon Hughes MP said:"It is unacceptable that so many countries have to spend more on debt repayments than on meeting their people's most basic needs, such as education and healthcare.Whilst we enjoy the music and entertainment on display today we must never forget those that are less fortunate than ourselves."