7th March 2022: A Week in Parliament

Ukraine Bravery

The bravery of the Ukrainian soldiers and the wider population has been amazing. There is no doubt the war hasn’t gone as Putin intended. The bravery of citizens standing in protest in front of Russian soldiers where cities have been nominally captured is incredible. It conveys the powerful message that they will not give in. It is high risk – it doesn’t take much in these situations for soldiers to get trigger happy if they feel threatened. Indeed, we only have to look at Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland. It is a relief, so far, the Russian soldiers have just stood by.

Nuclear Weapons

I understand for many people this re-ignites the debate on the UK holding nuclear weapons. Especially with Putin stating he has put his on “high alert”. The argument for nuclear weapons seems simple and logical…they are required to stop a madman like Putin from threatening you. However, how do you deal with a madman? The point of nuclear weapons is the agreement of mutually assured destruction if one state uses them. It becomes kind of self-defeating. If they are deployed, each country is agreeing to annihilate each other. Worse, Russia has such a huge landmass, that someone like Putin may think the gamble is worth it…the UK would be destroyed, and we know we will be taken out in the fallout from the destruction of Faslane, but Putin might think enough of Russia would survive. So, the weapons are not keeping us safe.

I also find there is a paradox that everyone agrees chemical weapons is illegal and that we shouldn’t hold them. I put this to a commander who was arguing for the deterrent. He stated that chemical weapons had proven to be wrong, immoral and not the right weapon anyway. I do not understand why one weapon of mass destruction is wrong but another is ok, even though both are as deadly in the hands of a madman.

Community Support

Well done to Bryce Cunningham of Mossgiel Farm and Shirley Wallace of Saxen Furniture for coordinating aid to Poland. The community rally round was amazing. It was really frustrating that the lorries were held up because of the paperwork created by Brexit. I have tried to assist by raising matters in the chamber and it is clearly better coordination and approach is needed to help the air get through quicker.

The UK Government has been found wanting with their support for refugees as well. It is the only country in the EU not to have waived visa requirements for Ukrainians and so far, have only processed 50 visas from 10,000 applications. Shameful.

Broken Foot

I suffered a broken foot when playing 5 asides, leading me to get an operation on my foot as well. Thanks to those who took great care of me. There is no doubt that Westminster is not a disabled-friendly place so I am looking forward to getting a moonboot so I can get about easier. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for the first modern wheelchair user, Anne Begg MP, back in 1997.