Cambridgeshire leaders and politicians pledge support for Ukrainian people
Cambridgeshire’s political leaders have written to the home secretary calling for more support for those forced to flee Ukraine.
The letter to Priti Patel has been signed by Cambridgeshire County Council leader Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, deputy leader Cllr Elisa Meschini, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Dr Nik Johnson, Cllr Bridget Smith and Cllr Anna Smith.
They told how people in the county “looked on in horror” as they learned Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
They call on the Prime Minister and the UK government to “go even further in response to the Russian invasion showing greater compassion for those in the greatest and most immediate need”.
The letter said: “In Cambridgeshire we have a long and honourable history in supporting people fleeing conflict, would want to do so again as we have for those families fleeing the restrictive regime in Afghanistan.
“We are willing to play our part, and to offer more than just words of encouragement.
“The situation in Ukraine is absolutely critical and Ukrainians need all the support they can get from their allies in the West.
“We urge you now to move faster and do more in the name of Ukrainian and European safety and security.”
Meanwhile, Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner, along with Cambridge City Council leader Cllr Anna Smith and Cambridge mayor Cllr Russ Mcpherson, as well as chair of Cambridge Labour Party Mike Sargeant also released a joint statement.
They said: “As elected leaders in Cambridge, we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people following the illegal invasion by the military forces of Vladimir Putin. Cambridge is a City of Sanctuary, and we call for an immediate package of welcoming and generous measures from the Home Secretary.
“Refugees from conflict are always welcome in Cambridge and we pledge to work with neighbouring authorities, with the people of Cambridge and with the government to extend that hand of friendship in Ukraine’s hour of need. To demonstrate solidarity, we shall be lighting the Guildhall blue and yellow.”
South Cambridgeshire District Council has pledged to support people fleeing the Ukraine if a national resettlement programme is set up by the government.
Councillors have said they will continue to work with the government and other agencies who are monitoring the crisis.
Council leader, Cllr Bridget Smith said: “All councils across the country should be indicating that they will be stepping forward and playing their part in helping to deal with the human cost of the terrible events which we are witnessing. The horror of the photographs and videos that we are seeing on the news and online, of missiles hitting the centre of Ukrainian cities and the resulting devastation, is impossible to overstate.
“We are fortunate to live in a part of the world where we can offer assistance to people in the most horrific situations. We are all human beings and have a duty to assist. A national package of accommodation and support, administered by local councils, is the very least that we can and should do.”
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