Labour MPs signed EDM backing Kerry

The Labour Party is stepping up its support for John Kerry's presidential campaign.

Commons leader Peter Hain is said to have met Democrat officials during a private trip to America and expressed his party's support for their electoral campaign.

Next week the magazine of the Blair-supported Progress group of senior Labour figures will state in its editorial: "Those who recognise that American leadership is vital and a force for good in an uncertain world will wish John Kerry well."

The moves follow a cooling of the traditionally close transatlantic relationship between the two parties following the prime minister's unwavering support for President Bush over Iraq.

Explicit support

Despite the attempts to restore links, some Labour MPs are calling for their party's leadership to do more to explicitly support Kerry's attempt to replace Bush in the White House.

Lindsay Hoyle was one of 48 MPs who signed an Early Day Motion put down by party colleague John Mann expressing support for the Democrat contender.

Hoyle told ePolitix.com: "I'm not a fan of Bush and I hope that the American people will choose John Kerry to be their next president.

"I don't agree with this hedging of bets in case Bush gets re-elected, I think that the Labour Party should officially back Kerry and really get behind the Democrats in this election.

"Someone from my own office is going out to America to assist the campaign and I think the whole party should be doing more."

Damaged relationship

Geraldine Smith, who also signed the EDM, told this website that "the relationship has been damaged by the war in Iraq, given Blair and Bush's closeness on the issue".

"However the British prime minister has to work closely with the American president regardless of their political affiliations," she added.

"That's why it's hard for the Labour leadership to explicitly endorse Kerry because they have to continue working with whoever is in power.

"Iraq has changed traditional transatlantic political relations because it was such a personal issue for Blair and Bush.

"But I think that is temporary, parties are bigger than any individual and our shared values and cooperation will continue beyond this temporary blip."

And Milton Keynes North East MP Brian White said it is "of great importance to the whole world that John Kerry wins the American presidency".

"There is a difference between what the government can do and what the Labour party can do," he told ePolitix.com.

"Governments have to work with governments and political parties have to work with their political allies.

"That is what the Labour Party are doing and a lot of members are working very hard here and in the US to achieve our aim."