Rock star Bono took to the airwaves in London to trumpet third-world causes and boosted the Labor Party's coming election theme of making war on poverty.

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The U2 singer hailed Gordon Brown's commitment as England's chancellor of the Exchequer to cutting third-world debt during a guest appearance on BBC Radio Four's flagship "Today" show, The Scotsman reported.

During the interview with Bono, the chancellor renewed his call to change the way rich countries tackle poverty.

"We shouldn't have to choose, as we are at the moment, between the temporary emergency relief that we are giving and the long-term tackling of the underlying causes of poverty," Brown said. "We need to be able to do both."

Bono also interviewed former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who said British Prime Minister Tony Blair is the world's best hope for helping Africa since he helped push poverty to the top of the upcoming Group of Eight financial summit.

Africa already is the center of the Labor Party's election strategy, as ministers hope to make the most of Britain's G8 presidency, which begins next year, The Scotsman said.