Wake Up to Trade Justice 

Message from Gordon Brown 

The Chancellor sent the following message to the Trade Justice Movement before flying to Washington to attend meetings of the finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrialised nations and the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. 

"I would like to pay tribute to all those who have, out of shared conviction, commitment and courage, gathered in Westminster and will hold a vigil all night calling for trade justice." 

"The Trade Justice Movement forms a unique coalition that shows that we are each of us not powerless individuals but that acting together we have the power to change the world for the better. And because of the challenge you posed to us, the government have said clearly that poor countries should not be forced into trade liberalisation either as a result of aid conditionality or a mercantilist approach to trade negotiations." 

"But I know you will not rest because words have to be turned into action by all of the international community and action into outcomes that help all of the world's poor. And so, I commend not just what you have achieved so far but for what you aspire to achieve. "

Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 15 April 2005

Reports from the events

» Westminster Abbey opening event
» Gordon Brown’s message to TJM campaigners
» Report back from the Wake Up delegations
» Supporter feedback on GWA  
» Photo Gallery from the Vigil
» Reports from Wake Up to Trade Justice