British Members of Parliament: In Support of Justice and Democracy in Ukraine

Excerpts of letters/messages of support received by the Association
of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) from British Members of Parliament.

26.11. Message of support: “The British people have been deeply moved by the spontaneous demonstrations in central Kyiv. On behalf of the Conservative Party, I want to express my support for Ukrainians in their quest for true democracy. The electoral process has been condemned for its irregularities and its serious flaws. Our message to the authorities in Ukraine is to see that fairness and justice prevail. Our message to Viktor Yushchenko is that we wish you well. Our message to the people of the Ukraine is that we are with you.” (Rt. Hon Michael Howard QC MP, Leader of the Opposition)

26.11. “Elections must be free and fair, or they are not elections at all. I am very concerned that fraud has occurred during these elections; the validity of the result must therefore be in doubt. The democratic will of the Ukrainian people must prevail. I can only hope that the situation is resolved peacefully and quickly.” (Peter Ainsworth, MP)

26.11. "If Ukraine is to emerge as a full-fledged democracy it is crucially important that the will of the majority in any election should prevail and that the Ukraine’s many friends around the world should have confidence in the country’s democratic structure. I hope the attached message will be of some encouragement to the many brave people gathering in Independence Square in Kyiv. I wish to express my enormous admiration for the courage and dignity which the people of Ukraine are showing in this sombre and momentous time. Your good humour is an inspiration, and so is your determination. Ukraine deserves a place among the important democratic nations of Europe and the world. Only if a proper democracy, in which the whole world can have confidence, is established can Ukraine occupy that place.” (Sir Patrick Cormack, FSA, MP)

26.11. “Regarding the final round of the election and the deep concerns of how that election was conducted is known to me, I have discussed this with very senior parliamentarians who know the Ukraine. I think now we will have to see what the outcome is of the discussions that are now taking place about the election, the way it was conducted, and the result. I can assure you that many members of the British parliament will follow the events that now take place with great interest, as will members of the Council of Europe.” (Tom Cox, MP)

“Onwards and upwards.” (Paul Flynn, MP)

26.11. “Mr. Williams believes that the principle of free and fair elections is vital to the continued health of all democracies. He hopes that the demonstrations in Independence Square and elsewhere continue along peaceful lines and that the ultimate official result of the election is a true reflection of the views of the people as expressed on election day.” (Edward Hogg, Parliamentary Researcher for Roger Williams, MP)

26.11 “I have been watching events unfold with great anxiety. It is expected in this day and age that free and fair elections should be available to everyone… I believe strongly that only through democracy will countries develop and work in the best interest of their citizens. I must voice my gravest concerns that fraud has indeed occurred during these elections and that the validity of the result must be questioned… It is disappointing that, when so many Ukrainian citizens have turned out enthusiastically and in such large numbers, that there have been serious shortcomings in the conduct of the campaign and problems with the poll… The democratic will of the Ukrainian people must prevail and I can only hope that the situation is resolved peacefully and quickly.” (Dame Marion Roe DBE, MP)

26.11 “The brave demonstrators in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine who have taken to the streets in wintry weather to insist publicly that the election of the new president cannot be confirmed until the results are fairly and impartially ratified, deserve the backing of all freedom loving people and all democratically elected politicians in Europe and beyond. The courageous leadership of Mr. Viktor Yushchenko on this point of democratic principle has been an inspiration. All friends of Ukraine demand for you the justice and true democracy which are your due based on election processes which are demonstrably fair and free from malpractice, intimidation, coercion and abuse of power. Ukraine deserves nothing less and your rightful insistence on an uncorrupt democracy should be the lead which all states and people in Europe follow till ballot rigging, media control and election fraud are banished from our continent. Long live freedom in Ukraine!” (John Wilkinson, MP)

28.11. “…Obviously if there have been abuses in the voting system, action should be taken to correct this and if not there should be a further election. I believe the situation is more complicated than some in the West understand and there seems to be a clear division between people in different parts of the country and it could be there is a case for dividing the nation in two. However, I feel the people of Ukraine must sort this out themselves and I am always very reluctant to seek to interfere in other nations’ affairs.” (Sir Teddy Taylor, MP)

29. 11. Thank you for your letter… about the shocking attempt to falsify the result of the presidential election in Ukraine. This smacks of the corrupt practices of the old Soviet regime and the people’s resistance to it must prevail if a return to dictatorship is to be prevented. Democrats around the world will be hoping and praying that your efforts succeed – and I shall certainly lend my support to any moves in parliament which may be helpful. (Dr. Julian Lewis, MP)

29.11. “…I have read your letter with great concern and noted the important points which you have made about the issues of serious irregularities in the Ukrainian election. I admire the fortitude and strength of the Ukrainian people and their deep commitment. It must be very hard in subzero temperatures. I wholeheartedly support the Ukrainian people who have been demonstrating their belief in free elections and democracy and I admire them profoundly…” (John MacDougall, MP)

29.11 “…I entirely agree with all you have to say and that is why I have co-sponsored the Early Day Motion here at the House. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, I am also monitoring the situation very carefully and will use my influence accordingly.” (Rt. Hon. Andrew MacKay, MP)

29.11. “…Any election must be fair, democratic and transparent. I deplore any irregular practices during the recent election. I urge the Central Election Committee to review result against allegations of flawed election, according to election members from EU countries…” (Anne McIntosh LLB, MP)

29.11. Thank you for your recent letter regarding the presidential election in Ukraine on November 21 which was very evidently flawed and undemocratic. I would certainly be willing to add my name to the list of members of parliament who would condemn those responsible in Ukraine for this vote rigging and would call on all democracies in the West to support and stand firm with those in Ukraine who are currently being denied their democratic rights. (Iris Robinson, MP)


29.11 “…In common, I imagine, with a large number of other politicians, I have watched events in Independence square unfold with some trepidation as armed forces assembled alongside supporters of Viktor Yushchenko. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you and your fellow countrymen at this time. (John Thurso, MP)

30.11. “…I was present in Ukraine for the election process and will continue to do everything I can to help the situation there resolve itself. I was disappointed about the outcome… What I will say and I have already done so is that the abuses I saw during the process of both runs of the two rounds of the elections were completely unacceptable and should never be repeated, and the fairest possible solution would be for a re-run of the election… (Mike Hancock, MP)

30.11. “…I understand that you have already received my message of support, and I hope that this has proved helpful. As you know, the British people have been deeply moved by the spontaneous demonstrations in central Kyiv. The Conservative Party supports the Ukrainian people in their quest for true democracy. The electoral process in Ukraine has been condemned for its irregularities and its serious flaws. Like you, I want to see that fairness and justice prevails; I wish Viktor Yushchenko well. The Conservative Party will continue to stand alongside the people of Ukraine. (Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC MP, leader of the opposition)

30.11. “…I wish to assure you of my unequivocal support for the brave people of Ukraine who are boldly trying to secure the reintroduction of justice, freedom and democracy in their country. They have my support…” (Andrew Hunter, MP)

30.11. “I am sure the whole world is moved by the protests of the Ukrainian people. I do, however, think it is important that neither Russian nor the West try to control Ukraine’s future and that the people elect their own government. I hope the election will be re-run.” (Rt. Hon. Clare Short, MP)

01.12. “If you can provide evidence of the allegations I will support your request.” (Joe Benton, MP)

01.12. “All of us who are democrats salute the attempts of the Ukrainian people to ensure that the recent presidential elections reach a proper conclusion. The outcome should reflect the will of the people. It is evident that the elections were not carried out in a proper fashion and I admire those who are now fighting for the outcome of the elections to be reconsidered. If democracy is to mean anything then it must be allowed to flourish without unfair interference. I salute the brave stand of the Ukrainian people in wanting to have a proper outcome to their recent elections. Please convey my very best wishes to all those who are fighting for democracy in your country…” (Rt. Hon. Michael Jack, MP)

01.12. “The situation in Ukraine has been very worrying. The officially announced results of the elections give rise to strong concern. It is clear that the second round of the presidential elections have failed to meet democratic standards. There should be no hesitation in the EU reaction to this flagrant breech of Ukraine’s commitments. Ukraine has signed up to Council of Europe and OSCE commitments and honouring these are crucial for developing further links with the European Union. The situation in Ukraine is very fluid at the moment, but I am relieved that the situation has not dissolved into serious violence. Both presidential candidates have made clear that civil war is not the answer to the problem. I have great respect for the actions of the Ukrainian people who are demonstrating how much they value democracy in their country. It is not clear at present how this situation can be resolved, whether by a re-run of the elections or through other means. But both Britain and the EU should use their influence to encourage a solution that upholds the principles of Ukrainian democracy and Ukraine’s international obligations.” (Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy, MP, leader of the liberal dDemocrats)

01.12. “…I strongly support those fighting for justice and democracy in Ukraine and have written the following message… to those demonstrators in Independence Square in Kyiv: As a parliamentarian lucky enough to live and serve in a democracy, I condemn the attempts of the Ukrainian authorities to rig the recent presidential elections and I would like to lend my support to all those Ukrainians demonstrating for justice and democracy to be re-introduced in their country…” (Dr. Jenny Tonge, MP)

02.12. “…I strongly sympathise. I attach an extract from Hansard of an intervention that I made on the subject…” (Julian Brazier TD, MP)

02.12. “…Derek Wyatt MP wanted me to relay to you his message of support. " Orange has always been my favourite colour. I hope there will be a new election that international observers will be allowed to monitor." (Adam Corridan, researcher)

02.12. “…I have the greatest possible sympathy… I am using and will continue to use what little influence I have as a British member of parliament to press for a satisfactory resolution to the situation…” (Roger Gale, MP)

02.12. “…I am more than happy to openly condemn the attempt to rig the elections and to this end have today signed Early Day Motion 167 on this subject. My best wishes go out to the people of Ukraine and to a proper democracy there…” (Marsha Singh, MP)

02.12. “…I fully support your case. Indeed I was in Ukraine as an observer for the first round of the presidential elections and… co-chaired a press conference… the text of which can be read on the website of the International Republican Institute in Washington (iri.org). (Michael Trend, MP)

03.12. “…I am extremely pleased to learn that the Ukrainian Supreme Court has annulled the poll result and insisted on a re-run of the election. I wish to congratulate you and all the Yushchenko supporters in Kyiv on your peaceful protests which have ensured that democracy wins through. I hope that a re-run of the election will be fair and just, and will provide the people of Ukraine with a democratically elected Ppesident…” (Brian Cotter, MP)

07.12. “…I am delighted that вЂpeople power’ has resulted in the re-run of the presidential election. The world will watch closely to ensure it is conducted fairly and democratically. I give the people of Ukraine my commitment to fight for open, honest and democratic election…” ( Rt. Hon. Helen Liddell, MP)

08.12. “…I was able to give very strong support to those campaigning for a fair election in Ukraine when I appeared recently on BBC Question Time. I wish you well with your struggle…” (George Osborne, MP)

08.12. “Thank you for… your fascinating analysis. Please can you help me get to Kyiv..? (Boris Johnson, MP)

  http://maidan.org.ua/static/emai/1103989811.html