MP Jamie Reed off to help Barack Obama

By Anika Bourley Parliamentary Correspondent

Last updated 13:00, Friday, 10 October 2008

An MP is preparing to fly to America for the political battle of a lifetime – as the fight for the White House enters its final weeks.

Jamie Reed

Copeland MP Jamie Reed will jet off to the United States later this month for two weeks when he joins the US presidential election campaign.

He has been invited through his close connections with the American Embassy in the UK and will support Democrat Barack Obama’s bid to become the country’s first black president.

Mr Reed said: “This might be the most significant election in my lifetime; the outcome of the US election will have profound bearing upon not just politics but every day life in Britain and Europe for years to come.

“In Barack Obama I think the world can see a unique politician and mould-breaking politician.

“This election thousands of miles away will have real consequences for my constituents whether in terms of energy policy or the ability to pay mortgages.

“That is why it is so important and I am flattered to be made the US Ambassador’s only British representative and I am looking forward to it greatly.”

Mr Reed will travel to Denver, Colorado, Boston, Harvard and Washington and spend election day – November 4 – in Philadelphia.

The Labour MP is the only Westminster politician to be given such close access to the presidential campaign. Each US Embassy ambassador is allowed to nominate one person to watch the election close-up. UK ambassador Robert Tuttle nominated Mr Reed after working closely with him in the past.