London SE1 community website

Labour holds World Poverty rally at the Old Vic

London SE1 website team

Former US president Bill Clinton appeared at the Old Vic on Sunday afternoon - taking part in a Labour election rally to mark World Poverty Day via satellite link from New York.

World Poverty Day


Tony Blair spoke without notes for 25 minutes to a 1,000-strong audience of Labour Party members. He told them: "We have to make 2005 the year of the new beginning for Africa."

"It's not only achievable, it is morally right," Mr Clinton said. "We can do this, but it requires leadership, and Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and New Labour are providing that leadership."

World Poverty Day


Mr Blair is no stranger to the Old Vic, having trod the boards at the Waterloo theatre on several occasions. In 2003 he made a major speech on public service reform to members of the Fabian Society, and in 2000 the Labour Party celebrated its centenary with a celebrity gala at the theatre.

World Poverty Day


The theatre's current artistic director Kevin Spacey visited the 2002 Labour conference in Blackpool together with Mr Clinton. European commissioner Peter Mandelson, a close associate of Mr Blair, is a member of the theatre's associate board.

The SE1 website is supported by people like you
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.