People of Ukraine have a right to choose own future
ON Saturday in Caernarfon, we held a rally to support Ukraine with 200 to 300 people attending. The war there is worsening. I fear the effects will hit us in the end. Newspapers no longer print long sections of political speeches. But I hope you’ll forgive me for this condensed version of my speech.
Thank you for coming to show your support, to call for an end to the war and for peace, democracy, and freedom for the people of Ukraine. And I give a particular welcome to people from Ukraine who have chosen to make their homes in Caernarfon and in Wales and who are here with us today.
It’s been a dark week for Europe and the world. Russia has attacked her neighbour without any excuse, the biggest such attack in Europe since World War 2. The danger that looms for us all is a new Cold War.
And for us in Wales there’s a particular menace in Vladimir Putin’s words. Ukraine is not a real country he says. It does not have a right to exist. It is he, far away in Moscow who has the right to rule. We in Wales are familiar with these arguments. And here in Caernarfon today we say we will never accept this specious reasoning.
But before we go any further, can we have a few moments of silence to remember those who have been killed and injured, those who live in fear and are unsupported, those who flee, and particularly those innocent children who are suffering.
There are protests today across our continent and across the world. I am proud that Caernarfon is also raising its voice against this vicious and unjustified invasion. And that today we also express our admiration for those brave people who have been protesting across Russia – knowing full well what Putin’s police will do to them.
They are calling on their government to act. Setting aside their differences. Telling Mr Putin, put down your guns. And in Wales, and in the UK, we are telling our Prime Minister that, to his lasting disgrace, he is failing in his duty – and deliberately so.
They say that Boris Johnson’s hero is Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill – the Prime Minister who fought the Nazis. And Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister who sells golden visas to stay in the UK to the Russian oligarchs.
Going cheap (for them) at £2m apiece. What a contrast between Mr Johnson and Mr Churchill. And what a contrast between Johnson and Ukrainian President Zelinsky who is manning the barricades with his people.
And as to visas, across Europe countries have thrown their borders open to refugees. In the east Poland says, come – our door is open. In the west, Ireland says come, you are welcome. You need have no connection with us. Don’t worry. Come. Our door is open.
And what of the UK, ‘leading the west’, according to Boris Johnson?
The UK slams the door shut in the faces of Ukrainian refugees. No golden visas for them. No room at the inn for them. Our door is slammed shut.
We don’t need empty boasts about leading the west, about world-beating plans and suchlike.
The people of Ukraine need to see proper UK sanctions. An embargo on trade with Russia. Humanitarian aid. Opening the door to refugees.
The people of Ukraine have a right to choose their own future. From Caernarfon today we send them our greetings and our support. We are with you.