Labour MP Colin Burgon has put down an Early Day Motion supporting the democratic process in Venezuela, and recognising the importance of recent social changes.

The motion, which also calls for the UK to oppose any illegal interference in Venezuela, has already been signed by an impressive 72 MPs from different parties.

This wave of support for the EDM follows widespread concern at Tony Blair’s remarks last week, when he warned Venezuela to respect the ‘norms of the international community’ and condemned the country’s co-operative relationship with Cuba.

The Venezuela Information Centre (VIC) welcomes this initiative and asks all supporters to lobby their MP to add their name. To find out who your MP is and contact them see www.theyworkforyou.com. You can write to them at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

You can download VIC's Model Letter to MP's.

Burgon, Colin

That this House recognises the progress that is being made by the democratically-elected government of Venezuela in expanding the provision of education, healthcare, housing, land, food and micro-credit facilities for those previously marginalised and excluded from economic and political opportunities in the country; notes that these important policy initiatives are an important step in reducing the searing inequalities that characterise Venezuelan society; further notes that the social policies of the Venezuelan government enhance the country's prospects of meeting its millennium development goals; and calls upon the UK Government to acknowledge the benefits of the Venezuelan social development model for other developing countries, to support the democratically-elected administration of President Hugo Chavez in the face of unconstitutional and illegal threats from both internal and external opponents and to work to strengthen the ties between the UK and Venezuela.

See the current list of signatures.