Catherine McKinnell, Member of Parliament for Newcastle North, has spoken today in Parliament to support Ukraine and ensure the UK does everything we can to defend democracy.

Speaking in Parliament, Catherine said “We can only imagine the pain that Ukrainians are going through. Like many members I’ve been inundated with emails from constituents who desperately want Britain and our allies to do everything we can to help and that’s what I stand up in this debate today to convey, that we’re all in awe of the bravery of the Ukrainian people and we all want to help.”

Catherine highlighted the plight of the Ukrainian people who have been displaced with over 500,000 already fleeing into neighbouring countries with Catherine outlining that “We have a proud history of helping people fleeing violence and persecution and we must do everything we can to support people seeking safety.”

Concluding her contribution, Catherine stated “President Putin is banking on cynicism and apathy to win the day. He has doubted the West’s outpouring of solidarity – that it won’t last, that it will wane and that in the longer term, we won’t want to bear the economic costs of what it will take to continue to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainians.”

But we need to show the world that we are better than that… our country has done what is necessary to defend democracy on this continent before and we will do it again.”

How can constituents support Ukrainians?

Many Newcastle North constituents have asked how they can support the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The Disasters and Emergency Committee have launched their Ukrainian appeal and details for how you can support the appeal are on the Disasters and Emergency Committee website – https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal