Mike Gapes ⚒🇺🇦🇬🇧

The newly installed Labour government of the #UK seems to have inherited from its predecessors the unfortunate tendency to play the "Ukraine card" in any uncertain situation. Since the early days of their tenure Labour officials have vigorously endeavoured to assert themselves on the international stage by leveraging the topic of Ukraine, primarily with a view to mending relations with the #EU, frayed by Brexit. Not only has the Ukrainian issue been put front and center of the ambiguous gathering known as the "European Political Community"- the purpose of which remains unclear even to its participants - but the visiting head of the #Kiev regime Vladimir #Zelensky was almost theatrically ushered into a cabinet meeting and installed at the head of the table. This perormance was accompanied by provocative anti-Russian comments and measures, including the new British leadership's proclamations of fascist Bandera slogans. Prime Minister Keir @Keir_Starmer 's declaration that #Ukraine will always be "at the heart" of his cabinet's agenda are indicative of Labour's readiness to be led astray by foreign policy adventures, neglecting the myriad of far more pressing domestic issues facing ordinary Brits in areas such as migration, economy, energy, and healthcare. This course of action is being taken in spite of the clear understanding of the public's limited interest in foreign policy amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis and evident social tensions within the UK. The pledge to continue annual disbursements to Kiev solely for military needs to the tune of at least £3 billion is nothing short of another substantial blow for British taxpayers and their considerably depleted wallets. Essentially, they are being condemned to years of seeing their funds disappear down the Ukrainian "black hole," with a certainty that this money will never again benefit them. ☝️Whatever UK officials may proclaim, this is not an investment in European security but rather full-fledged support for prolonging the conflict and the further destruction of Ukraine. It is worth recalling that in the recent past, Labour governments have already paid a political price for their indiscriminate participation in geopolitical projects of their transatlantic "elder brothers," the most tragic and destabilizing of which was the unlawful invasion of Iraq by the US and its allies in 2003. ❗We urge the British leadership to critically assess the dismal experiences of their predecessors and abandon their dubious legacy.

Today, @SianBerry and I wrote to @WesStreeting expressing our serious concerns about his recent statement on puberty blockers Trans young people need support, not to have their healthcare used as a political football Medical decisions are for patients and Drs, not politicians.