HUGO CHAVEZ VICTORY IN VENEZUELA CELEBRATED IN LONDON TONIGHT

I enjoyed a lovely evening at the Venezuelan Embassy in London tonight celebrating Hugo Chavez’s presidential victory. In spite external interference in the democratic affairs of a sovereign country, Chavez secured an overwhelming majority in the recent election.

Regrettably I had to leave early as I had booked a ticket for the 8.55pm train back to Derby. But it was great to be there to experience the joy and solidarity with people who, like me, are delighted that progressive policies were overwhelmingly endorsed by the Venezuelan people.

I think Messrs Cameron, Clegg and Osborne could learn a lesson or two from this Latin American economic miracle where the wealth the country generates is invested in the economy and shared with its people.

Venezuela’s economy is growing at a staggering six percent a year, something we can only dream of with the counterproductive austerity programme being pursued by our rotten Tory-Lib Dem government.

Venezuela’s progressive policies have seen extreme poverty slashed by 70 percent, and whilst there is of course more do, it is testament to Venezuela’s determination to build a better society. And talking of building, in the past year alone 250,000 new social houses have been built. Compared to the catastrophic collapse in house building in Britain, Venezuela’s record is impressive.

Furthermore, Venezuela’s state pensions have been made available for all and the minimum wage has been increased by 30 percent. It is little surprise that these policies are deeply popular and explains why Hugo Chavez secured such a strong mandate on a turnout of over 80 percent.

Before the election Brazil’s former President Lula backed President Chavez saying...“Your victory will be ours”. He said: “With Chavez's leadership, the Venezuelan people have made extraordinary gains. The popular classes have never ever been treated with such respect, love and dignity. Those conquests must be preserved and strengthened. Your victory will be ours... thanks comrade for everything you have done for Latin America”.

It was a ringing endorsement that was evidently shared in spades by a large majority of the Venezuelan people.