Bono made a special guest appearance at the Conservative party conference in Manchester this afternoon (October 8).

The U2 frontman appeared before leader David Cameron's speech to urge the party to maintain the target of spending 7% of GDP on aid.

"Hello there, if you can swallow an Irish man saying what's great about Great Britain, indulge me for a minute,” Bono said in a video message.

“Because what's happened over the last few years in Britain's relationship with the developing world has been so inspiring to me.

He added: "It's a brave thing: keeping Britain's aid promise to the developing world, but it is the right thing to do and it is what's great about Great Britain.”

The singer also deliered a video message before prime minister Gordon Brown's key note speech at the Labour Party conference last week in Brighton.

But his appearance at the Conservative conference has triggered speculation the long-time Labour supporter is open to working with other parties.

(by Jason Gregory)