Committee Room 14.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine visited London today and addressed MPs and Lords in the relatively workmanlike surroundings of Committee Room 14. This visit seemed far more important that Mr Trump’s latest tantrum across the ocean. In an enthusiastic address, Zelenskyy explained what Ukraine’s experience in successfully resisting Russian aggression and particularly their Iranian-assisted drone warfare could add to NATO defence capabilities. The speech is well worth listening and watching in its entirety: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/305604dd-0c94-47af-82d8-29fabc5df6d5?in=16:53:28 .

The Lord Speaker, making an eloquent speech of thanks, said that “the Continent of Europe and the whole free world owe Ukraine a debt of gratitude for your courage” and included a great Scottish quotation from Sir James Barrie’s Rectorial Address to the University of St Andrews in 1922:

“Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.
Unless a man has that virtue he has no security for preserving any other.”
Sir James Barrie, B^art, OM (1860-1937)

Still very true.

The President was amongst friends and supporters in London today, quietly demonstrating the value of friendship, shared purpose and respect, sadly lacking from other historic allies.

Check us out on insta @theworldofukpolitics