This week marks the 4th anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and was a stark reminder that all these years on the conflict is ongoing. A group of my colleagues had just returned from Ukraine, and many of them made it back from the airport just in time to make a contribution to the debate.
It was also a reminder of the Ukrainian guests and friends we have in this country, and although I was in the Chair for the debate and not speaking in it, I would like to pay a particular tribute to all the local support groups who have done so much to make this part of Hampshire a welcoming place. I have had many Ukrainian mothers come to see me, to outline how they have made a life here for themselves and their children, and there was a recurring theme in many of the contributions about how they have worked, gained qualifications and perfected their English.
One MP who was missing from the debate was Johanna Baxter from Renfrewshire, who at every turn has highlighted the plight of the abducted Ukrainian children. Taken from their families, forced to speak Russian, been adopted by Russian families in some instances, and many brainwashed. Johanna was not there as she was in Ukraine receiving the Order of Merit for her work in this area. She deserves that recognition and her absence from a debate I know she would have ordinarily contributed to was referred to by many Members, rightly supportive of all she has done and continues to do.
There was also a contribution highlighting the work of a Coventry based company who have been supplying body armour to the frontline in Ukraine. They were in Parliament this week showcasing their body armour designed especially for women, which I had the opportunity to try on. A stark reminder that there are women on the frontline there, including some MPs.
This weekend there will be a ceremony in the War Memorial Park in Romsey to mark the anniversary and a service in the Abbey, organised by the Romsey Ukrainian Support Group, who have done so much over the last four years.
