2025: Week 27 - Ukraine and Trump
This week I was selected for Prime Ministers Questions and asked about the Ukrainian visas. For too long the Ukrainians who fled when Russia invaded their country have been uncertain about whether they would be allowed to stay safely in the UK.
Currently there are no avenues open to Ukranians to apply for indefinite leave to remain. Many of them have built lives here, have jobs, are contributing to the economy, and have children who don’t remember living in Ukraine as they were so young when they came.
There are also those older children who finally feel settled in their schools, are preparing to take exams, have learnt the language and probably now feel more British than Ukrainian. Not offering these people the assurances that they require is cruel. I have a follow up debate on this in Parliament on Monday 21st and I shall be asking the Prime Minister how he intends to address this untenable situation.
Donald Trump has accepted an invitation for a second state visit to the UK this September. The Lib Dems have said all along that the Government needs to use the state visit and all that comes with it for leverage. The offering of a state visit to Donald Trump should be used as a way to get him to come to the table with support for Ukraine - including an iron-clad security guarantee.
What's most important is that we use this visit as leverage - it's a powerful card we have to play with Trump as he continues on his destructive trade war.
In addition, the Prime Minister should invite Canadian PM Mark Carney for an official visit to the UK just ahead of Trump. By including the opportunity to address Parliament, this would signal that Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Canada against Trump’s chaotic trade war. With Trump threatening our Commonwealth partners like Canada with yet more tariffs while hitting the UK steel industry, now is the time to stand firm with our allies.
Finally, as we head into the summer recess from Parliament, I’m heading in to a busy period in the constituency. I have a full diary of visits and meetings planned throughout the coming weeks and am very much looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible. When you see me, please do come and say hello!