Organisation: G8

Analysis and commentary by Echo Research.

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If G8 leaders were hoping that events in Germany would give them licence to sunbathe, they'd reckoned without Bob Geldof. A year on from Gleneagles, Geldof, in self-confessed 'Saint Bob' mode, warned leaders of the world's richest nations not to renege on their commitments to Africa. Joined in the press by Live8 luminaries such as Bono and Annie Lennox, Geldof vowed to shame backsliders and slackers with an annual report on their progress against G8 pledges: "the full promises must be implemented and nothing else will do" (Guardian, 30/06).

Geldof's peerless ability to ruffle feathers brought a speedy and unusually united response from the UK's political leaders. International Development Secretary Hilary Benn stressed "the real progress that has been made since the memorable G8 summit" (Scotsman, 30/06). In turn, David Cameron, for the Tories, lauded the "leadership of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown" on global poverty, while condemning France and Germany for their "short sighted protectionism" (Guardian Unlimited, 29/06).

Perhaps as a sign of things to come, Geldof's inaugural DATA report (Debt, Aids, Trade, Africa) challenged Gordon Brown to "increase his own contribution" to debt targets. If the Chancellor harbours any hopes that Geldof will ease up on his campaigning zeal, he's likely to be disappointed: "I will be banging on about it from the bottom of my coffin" said Saint Bob (Times, 29/06).