A LEADING Ipswich politician has flown to the US in a bid to boost Barack Obama's campaign to become president.

A LEADING Ipswich politician has flown to the US in a bid to boost Barack Obama's campaign to become president.

John Cook, the town's Labour Party agent, joined other Democratic party volunteers in key swing state Ohio in trying to persuade people to make Obama the nation's first black president.

Obama currently holds a healthy lead in opinion polls over Republican rival John McCain

Mr Cook said: “My official role is an observer but I'm not the kind of person who sits around watching elections.

“I'll be doing whatever I'm asked to do.

“As an election agent in Ipswich if you have a volunteer turn up you would get them to assist you with a variety of things.”

The trip has been organised by the Fabian Society - a group that has links with the Labour Party.

It could not be arranged by the labour party itself because of election etiquette that political parties don't get involved with other parties' affairs.

Mr Cook said the trip would prove useful for learning how the American campaigns work and may provide some ideas for the next general election in Ipswich.

“I'm very much looking forward to going,” he said.

“From my point of view I'm happy to help out and learn about how they run their campaign.

“I'm always keen to learn new ideas.”

He added that Obama looks like becoming the next president of the states but would not be complacent when he touches down in Ohio.

“From the polls at the moment it look like Obama should win but I'm never one to be complacent in elections,” he said.

“I can remember sending more campaigners to get people out to vote in 1997 when we won the seat by 10,000 votes.

“You can't take anything for granted.”

Are you travelling to the US to help either campaign? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk