Clinton: Ally of New Labour

Bill Clinton has urged Labour voters not to succumb to disillusionment and ensure they vote for their values on May 5.

Speaking to a Labour Party rally on global poverty, the former US president paid tribute to his "friends" Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

He told the audience, via satellite link-up, that he was "not supposed to talk about politics these days, I'm semi-retired".

"But I do want to say one thing about politics," he said.

"Usually when you get a progressive government in power, our people get a little easily disillusioned, and they don't like this policy or that policy.

"And they sometimes fall into the trap of thinking it doesn't matter, there are no consequences.

"Well, if you believe that, you ought to look at the difference in the United States between now and four years ago."

Different visions

Clinton said that progressives and conservatives "adopt different policies and they have different consequences".

"The other side really believes that the concentration of wealth and power is good at home and around the world," he said.

"And we believe that if every responsible person has a chance, we'll all do better.

"The evidence is on our side. Only their ideology and our lack of care can change that.

"So if you do value the progress you are making in Britain, if you value the idea that we can end world poverty, then you have to vote your values.

"I get tired in this country [US] of hearing that the other side has the values.

"Our values are pretty simple. Every person in the world counts, deserves a chance, has a responsible role to play.

"All these differences we have are important, they make life more interesting.

"But our common humanity is more important. That is the morally right position, it is the practically right position, and now it is achievable.

"We know how to do debt relief, we know how to design fair trade laws, we know how to do aid in a way that promotes health, education and development.

"We know how to do this. We just need leadership, and Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and New Labour are providing that leadership.

"I'm just here to say thank you, amen and go get it. But if you value this you have to vote."