5 May 2007
Everyone will benefit if the world sticks by its commitments to help Africa, Tony Blair has told Bob Geldof.
In our exclusive podcast, Mr Blair says he worries that the “horrors” on the continent lead people to believe it is hopeless to do anything to help - ignoring the “enormous progress” in countries such as Mozambique, Angola or Sierra Leone.
The Irish rock star and anti-poverty campaigner came to No10 for the latest in our series of interviews on the big issues of today.
The pair look back at the Make Poverty History campaign which lead to the Gleneagles agreements and the celebrity allure which helped to drive it.
Mr Blair says that having famous faces to front campaigns helps, despite cynicism from some quarters over celebrity involvement.
“The blunt truth is having well-known people that others are engaged with and feel they know because they like their music or like their art…can have an influence provided it is done in the right way.”
During their 20-minute conversation they also discuss China’s emerging presence in Africa, Britain’s colonial history and the best way to meet the G8 commitments on aid.
The PM concludes by saying “at the G8 this year [in Germany] I will spend whatever capital is left trying to get the right result…and then be outside the next one with my placard”.
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