• WE in Holborn & St Pancras Labour Party have commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with great sadness.

Russian aggression has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.

We remember the thousands of people who have lost their lives during this war of aggression, many of them Ukrainian civilians.

But we have not forgotten the plight of the Russians who have been rounded up, sometimes from prison camps, and often against their will, and thrown into this conflict.

Our party has taken a consistent stand of supporting the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom.

At stake is the future of the liberal, democratic order in Europe. It reflects our determination to stand by the United Nations Charter, with its first principle the collective determination to protect all its members against “acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace”.

Labour knows from bitter experience that appeasement only encourages dictators. Historically members of our party fought for these principles, laying down their lives to defeat fascism.

We welcome the determined position of Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy in standing shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people. We have supported Ukrainian refugees, welcoming them to Britain and into our homes.

With no end yet in sight, our ongoing backing for NATO remains essential as we continue our unwavering support for the defence of Ukraine.

OLIVER LEWIS
Chair, Holborn & St Pancras Constituency Labour Party