Surprise surprise....The much vaunted G8 produced next to nothing.

Most of the aid turns out to be "old money" spun as "new money", nothing on trade reform, lack of urgency in tackling AIDS/HIV, and most importantly no progress on climate change....the Americans are calling for a "long term solution".

The aid agencies are unanimous in stating their disappointment in the strongest terms.
"We expected a roar from our leaders ,and got nothing but a whisper"

One positive aspect to come from the summit is that Blair seems to have grown tired of his role as Bush's poodle and decided to acquire one of his own   "Greyfriars Bobby " Geldof.

Its all been so predictable, and I feel sorry for good people like Lizzie, who's infectious energy and enthusiasm have been so cynically betrayed.
Piers is right, to defeat poverty we must first defeat the systems which produce inequality hatred and injustice....Ake