Back to reality, it must be stressed that applied to our present economic situation, whether government spending is in deficit, balanced, or in surplus is immaterial.

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The organisation leading the StopKony campaign issued a response on its website to these points, and it must be stressed that the group has been pushing the White House on this issue for some time.

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Mr Fillon said he favoured the idea, floated by Mr Cope, of a party referendum in January, but stressed it must be held "in conditions of objectivity".

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But it stressed such a system "must be proportionate to the means of the individual" and asked ministers for more information on the income threshold for contributions.

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