2023

My thoughts after the meeting reinforced the view that the war in Ukraine waged by Russia confirmed that Russia cannot be allowed to win and their ambition is more than Ukraine. Russia aim to generate more instability in the region and are against the rules based order, sovereignty and borders. 50 nations have helped Ukraine. If Russia stops the war is over , if Ukraine stops they have lost their country. There were assumptions made that if we do business with China we would make them rich and they would move towards democracy. The assumptions were proved wrong. There is a new era of collective defence. In a democracy we talk about it- in an autocracy the leader decides. The collective defence means that NATO is ready, after Crimea, and agreed in 2018 a new strategy. We all have to think about what do we have to do to defend aggression from Russia or terrorists. 

I was delighted to host a Parliamentary event in the Churchill Room: A Home Makes a Life: IKEA, Creating Affordable, Sustainable Futures event. 

President Volodymr Zelensky the president of Ukraine  paid a visit to Parliament and addressed both Houses in Westminster Hall on his first visit to the UK.