Liberal Democrats call on Brown and Blair to stop fighting amongst themselves and act to tackle the crisis in South-East Asia

9.00.00pm GMT Thu 6th Jan 2005

Following Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both making speeches at the same time to prove they cared more about international aid and development Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat Party President, has urged the Prime Minister and his Chancellor to stop fighting amongst themselves and act to tackle the crisis in South-East Asia.

Mr. Hughes said "Dealing with the disaster in South East Asia and with international poverty are amongst the most serious issues to confront this Government. The last thing the people of South-East Asia and Africa need is a New Year pantomime where the two leading men are trying to outplay each other for the starring role."

Also in his New Year message to the Party, Liberal Democrat President, Simon Hughes MP, today called on the British people to continue their immense generosity of recent weeks by donating one day's salary every year to the developing world and areas which suffer natural disasters. Mr. Hughes said the Government should enable members of the public, via the Inland Revenue, to donate one day's pay every year for disaster relief or to support communities in the developing world, this change could raise almost £1.5bn every year."