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January 2008
British MPs commend Venezuelan democracy
55 MPs from five political parties in Britain have backed a motion from Colin Burgon MP, Chair of Labour Friends of Venezuela, emphasising that the recent referendum was an "example of the vibrancy of the democratic process in Venezuela".
The referendum in Venezuela clearly refutes the media lies claiming that President Chávez is a threat to democracy
The proposed constitutional changes narrowly failed to be passed by 51% to 49%, with President Chavez immediately accepting the result, which Colin Burgon has said "once again shows how absurd the claims are that Venezuela under Chavez is not a democracy. " He added, "The US should close down its office for transition initiative in Venezuela," which is designed to facilitate regime change in the country.
Early Day Motion (EDM) 501 points out that ‘the false claims made by opponents of Venezuela's elected government in the run-up to the referendum that the vote may not be free and fair have been shown to be unfounded.’
Far from the false accusation that President Chavez is leading Venezuela down a path to dictatorship, this was the 12th national vote in Venezuela since 1998 when Hugo Chávez was first elected and Mr Burgon’s motion notes that ‘this commitment to democracy is in contrast to the way that opponents of the Chávez government have sought to overthrow it through non-democratic means including a military coup in 2002.’
The MPs have also offered ongoing support to the Chávez government’s policies of advancing social inclusion and equality adding that it ‘is confident that Hugo Chávez will continue to lead the fight against neo-liberalism in Latin America, supported by all those who wish to end the exploitation of the people and environment of that continent’.
The initiative has also received backing from trade unionists. GMB International Solidarity Officer and Venezuela Information Centre Vice-Chair Joni McDougall said: "This strong support from MPs is an important rebuttal to the constant misrepresentation in the mainstream media about the democratic record of the Chávez government."
Text of the motion:
REFERENDUM IN VENEZUELA
That this House notes the results of the referendum in Venezuela on 2nd December, in which proposed constitutional changes narrowly failed to be endorsed by 51 per cent. to 49 per cent.; further notes that President Hugo Chávez quickly accepted the result and congratulated the opponents of the proposed constitutional changes on their success; believes that this election is one example of the vibrancy of the democratic process in Venezuela and of President Chávez's commitment to democracy; further notes that this was the 12th national vote in Venezuela since 1998 when Hugo Chávez was first elected; believes this commitment to democracy is in contrast to the way that opponents of the Chávez government have sought to overthrow it through non-democratic means including a military coup in 2002; is concerned by the false claims that were made by opponents of Venezuela's elected government in the run-up to the referendum that the vote may not be free and fair and believes that these have been shown to be unfounded; further notes that Hugo Chávez's current term as President runs to 2012 and offers its ongoing support to his government's policies of advancing social inclusion and equality; and is confident that Hugo Chávez will continue to lead the fight against neo-liberalism in Latin America, supported by all those who wish to end the exploitation of the people and environment of that continent.
Signatures:
1. Burgon, Colin
2. Trickett, Jon
3. Cruddas, Jon
4. Corbyn, Jeremy
5. Gibson, Ian
6. Abbott, Diane
7. Hopkins, Kelvin
8. Jenkins, Brian
9. Kilfoyle, Peter
10. McDonnell, John
11. Challen, Colin
12. Connarty, Michael
13. Drew, David
14. Flynn, Paul
15. Taylor, David
16. Turner, Desmond
17. Riordan, Linda
18. Devine, Jim
19. Prentice, Gordon
20. Simpson, Alan
21. Jones, Lynne
22. Owen, Albert
23. Caton, Martin
24. Dean, Janet
25. MacNeil, Angus
26. Sharma, Virendra Kumar
27. Price, Adam
28. Havard, Dai
29. Holmes, Paul
30. Mudie, George
31. Buck, Karen
32. Clapham, Michael
33. Cohen, Harry
34. Cryer, Ann
35. Fisher, Mark
36. Francis, Hywel
37. Galloway, George
38. Truswell, Paul
39. Vis, Rudi
40. Wood, Mike
41. Singh, Marsha
42. Heyes, David
43. Dismore, Andrew
44. Gerrard, Neil
45. Morgan, Julie
46. Iddon, Brian
47. Campbell, Ronnie
48. Cook, Frank
49. Grogan, John
50. Hancock, Mike
51. Benton, Joe
52. Smith, Geraldine
53. Wareing, Robert N
54. Clark, Katy
55. Thornberry, Emily