Via www.labourlist.org

Gentlemen, providence has handed you an unprecedented opportunity, and with it a grave responsibility, to transcend mere national interest and remould our broken world. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy.

Stephen Geoghegan

If we are going to borrow money from our grandchildren, please spend it on things that will benefit them – green technology and infrastructure would be a good start!

Alan Clayton

There is no time for protectionist measures. Policies for single countries are not applicable, a worldwide solution is necessary. This is an opportunity to forge a new era of economics, one of sustainable, durable growth. It is obvious that the first route out of this mess is fiscal stimulus, correctly applied. Banks must be kept afloat by any means necessary and it is vital, in a time of crisis, to come out of this conference with, if nothing else, hope for the future, hope that could drive the worldwide population to start spending again.

Will Archer

Unless the G20 nations make the UN summit in Copenhagen a success, with CO2 emissions starting to fall globally by 2015, there’s no future for life on earth, so this must be G20’s priority.

Laurence Coates

Do it for the people, not the politics.

Daniel Gaunt

Money is being pumped into the car industry to keep jobs. Why not spend this money on retraining workers for other industries; this would reduce the number of polluting cars and build on our green energy production?

Tony Newton

It’s time to make a real impact on global poverty. Rich nations have the capacity to cure diseases, feed their populations and protect their citizens. It’s time we acted to make sure the developing world has this, too.

Claire McGill

Don’t push the blame on to anyone else – just get down to the job of stabilising the financial crisis.

Jamie Hicken

This is a marvellous opportunity for a new president to work via the G8 for a fairer world. Millions of people in the developing world are watching and hoping that a US president with African ancestry will at last bring permanent and meaningful changes to their lives. Please do not let this chance pass.

D Walker

Value and respect the public-sector workers who will be at the heart of bringing the world out of this current economic phase – don’t try to “manage” us with good news hiding the bad. We respond to trust and openness. Be honest with us, and we will come through for you.

Chris Daw

Make trade fair and help to make poverty history. Keep the commitments you made to the Millennium Development Goals.

Laura McCann

Please encourage the US to join and support the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. I am shocked and appalled that this huge body of global power has not agreed to this fundamental treaty. Children are our future and this needs to be remembered.

Stephanie Harrison

Tax havens . . . who needs them?

Richard Gordon

Work together for the common good. Show people that politics can make a positive difference to their lives.

Brian Moylan

As well as – or instead of – propping up banks and insurance groups, think how much good would be done if the government provided $1m seed capital to tens or hundreds of thousands of start-ups. As an entrepreneur, I know how much we could do with that scale of money, whereas it will just vanish in the noise with the banks.

Dave Lloyd

Have the bravery to do what needs to be done, however much it hurts.

Alex Timperley

Make sure the weak and vulnerable have more money to spend. Increase spending on public services: they civilise modern society. Build hope into a bridge that brings long lasting prosperity for all.

John Tweddle

There needs to be a new political contract between the electorates in democracies and our governments. We have blamed governments, banks, and speculators; however, we have not looked to ourselves as individuals who have refused to hear mature voices which state limitations and realities. This crisis should awaken us to the electorate’s equal partnership in the discourse of nations and of our mutual responsibilities.

Andrew Baker

This crisis is much too good to waste – so please don’t. The economic crisis and the climate crisis together provide a golden opportunity to change structures, mindsets and lifestyles. This could be the best thing that ever happened to the human race!

Jeremy Millard

Give people their security back. Give the bailout money directly to the people, not to the banks.

Christine Peace

Use this opportunity to impress on people that it’s now all about the “Triple Bottom Line”. We should generate and spend our wealth but on fewer things, better things. Profit, People and Planet are everyone’s responsibility – economic leadership, social leadership and environmental leadership.

Nick Horslen

Don’t over treat the patient. You can’t fix the problem, just mitigate the symptoms and let the recovery happen. It’s a tough balance to hit!

Brett Manning

Nelson Mandela once said: “Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great and you can be that generation.” You have the power to make a change and make the history books. I personally can’t think of a better team to handle this crisis: Obama, with the world in the palm of his hand; Brown, with his political influence and knowledge of economics! This is your time to be that generation!

Joseph Russell

* Some comments have been edited for length

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