Southwark is the centre of my universe but, as ever, things that happen here in our community have global relevance and events around the world resonate in our part of London. This is true of the war in Ukraine which has affected so many local people.
Just six weeks ago, I visited Ukraine with the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, including the border of the territory at that point already illegally occupied by Russia in the Donetsk region. Whilst there, I heard directly from elected representatives including the Deputy Prime Minister, frontline armed forces, and other community representatives about their resolve, feelings of betrayal that Putin had not been punished for his invasion of Crimea eight years ago and their need for more help.
The view from Ukrainians was crystal clear: war was not ‘imminent’ but underway already. The Donetsk region was shelled over 100 times in December 2021 and three Ukrainian soldiers were killed by snipers before my feet touched Ukrainian soil. That some of the soldiers and civilians I met just weeks ago may now be dead or have fled is horrifying.
When I returned, I urged the Prime Minister in the Commons to implement the recommendations of several reports into dodgy Russian activity in the UK, including from the security services.
Instead, Johnson dithered, deferred, and delayed. His Government and the Conservatives have been tainted by Russian money for years; funds stolen from the Russian people by Putin’s allies, oligarchs and cronies.
Dirty Russian money “ridiculously” inflating local house prices, says MP
It was six years ago that David Cameron promised a register of foreign owned London properties, but the Tories have failed to deliver even that basic policy.
Not only does this lack of action completely undermines the UK’s position in taking a strong stance against Russia it also leaves Londoners with higher costs and more pressure on housing.
Johnson, as ever, resorts to hyperbole about having the “toughest package of sanctions against Putin’s regime”. But the shameful reality is just 35 sanctions have been put in place just when we should be leading action against the Russian dictator.
Johnson poses in cockpits, but his sanctions are the pits by comparison to the United States which has put in place 1,200 sanctions and even Italy has been confiscating Russian-owned yachts and homes.
Johnson is simply repeating his ‘world-class’ boasts about tackling covid when the reality was he was partying in Downing Street whilst the UK suffered the highest death toll in Europe and worst damage to any major economy on the planet during the pandemic.
By contrast, it has once again been amazing to see the outpouring of solidarity from our local community for Ukraine: from the Kirby Estate raising a Ukrainian flag; to the Odessa Street gathering; to Southwark’s Labour Council asking the Government to do more to help those fleeing war and terror on our European doorstep.
I am in touch with Ukrainian and other local people to assist their families and will continue to do so as long as I serve this amazing community that has such global importance and interconnectivity!