Group gained election ideas

3:27pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

VISITORS from around the globe visited Redditch to observe the local council elections in the town and take back ideas for their own elections.

Conservative spokesman Karen Lumley invited the group to the town during local election week, working with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, an independent public body which aims to achieve sustainable political change in emerging democracies.

As part of the trip, the visitors from Montenegro and the Seychelles met the leader of Worcestershire County Council, George Lord, visited Tenacres First School in Winyates and spoke about the political process with the shadow secretary of state for culture, Jeremy Hunt, who was also visiting the town.

George Bibi, the general secretary of the Seychelles Democratic Party, said: "We learnt how elections are organised and prepared in this country, such as how the media is used and the ways in which young people are targeted."

Andela Jaksic, a member of the People's Party of Montenegro, added: "We were in London and while that was a beautiful place to visit, I think Redditch is a much better place to live. It's very calm and tranquil."

Those that came to the town will now take back what they learnt during the trip to their own countries and hopefully use some of the tips they picked up during their own elections.

Mrs Lumley said: "It's great to be able to encourage other countries to experience elections and it's great to welcome all the visitors here to the town."

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