ELECTIONS IN VENEZUELA AND THE VICTORY OF HUGO CHAVEZ

That this House warmly congratulates Presdient Hugo Chavez on his election for a third term as President of Venezuela; notes that this victory occurred in the context of an unbalanced and hostile campaign by sections of the Western media; expressses hope that publications such as the Financial Times and Foreign Affairs may now consider a more balanced approach to reporting in Venezuela, including an end to the usage of outdated economic data to disparage the Chavez administration; notes the feeling of optimism evident amongst the poorest of Venezuela, who have experienced significant improvements in quality of life as a result of the pro-poor policies introduced by Chavez; and calls upon the UK Government now to engage fully with Venezuela and to assess what lessons could be learned from that country on popular participation in the democratic process by grass roots political activists and the electorate in general.