Charlotte Leslie is a Global Ambassador of President Zelensky’s ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative, Director of the Conservative Middle East Council and former Member of Parliament for Bristol North West.
Illegal immigration continues to dominate domestic headlines here in the United Kingdom. Stopping the boats and the criminal gangs facilitating the dangerous crossings across the Channel will inevitably be a major issue for both the major political parties over the next five weeks ahead of election day.
However, “stopping the boats” starts with tackling root-causes, not with punchy political announcements. Putting a stop to one route of illegal migration must not be mistaken as a sustainable solution to the core factors driving more and more legitimate refugees to seek respite in the UK.
And make no mistake, mass migration will present a massive challenge for a future government of any stripe to manage.
Food insecurity, climate disasters and internal conflict are the main reasons behind the instability which drives migration. According to the Red Cross, 150 million people in Africa are at risk of hunger and famine, which in turns drives further conflict.
A unified global effort is required to stem this pipeline of suffering, and despite itself being the victim of an illegal invasion from Vladimir Putin, it is Ukraine which has quickly emerged as a vital partner to counter this instability.
Ukraine is not known as the breadbasket of the world for nothing. Kyiv’s commitment to alleviating global food insecurity, even while grappling with its own conflict and devastation, must be seen to be believed.
This year alone, Volodymyr Zelensky’s ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative has delivered thousands of tonnes of grain to countries dealing with the most desperate conflict and starvation, even while Putin’s forces steal grain from occupied territories and send barrages to attack Ukrainian ships navigating the Black Sea. (Of course, instability of nations from starvation is a gift for Putin’s ambitions for Russian influence in Africa.)
But through these shipments from Ukraine, many countries in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Sudan have seen vital food aid prevent millions from falling into famine. In March, a single shipment of 14,076 tonnes of wheat flower landed in Port Sudan to support two million Sudanese from food insecurity and provided some relief amidst civil war and the world’s largest internal displacement crisis.
This relief has far wider implications than temporary food support to fulfil a basic human need. It has given these countries small opportunities to focus on restabilising their nation and ensuring there is a future for those living within it.
Ukraine is a country that knows all about famine. In 1932-1933, millions of Ukrainians suffered famine as a result of Soviet policies. Today, Ukraine’s role as a global food provider is so important that food security sits as a key tenant of Zelensky’s own ‘Peace Framework.’
It is critical the UK supports these efforts. If we want to “stop the boats”, we have to tackle the causes of the boats: famine-stricken Africa countries, over-run with foreign sponsored mercenaries. Such conditions are catastrophic for that nation’s stricken population, catastrophic for global security, and leads to mass-migration which can be weaponised against the West by its global rivals and enemies, not least Putin.
By contrast, the impact of a more stable, secure and prosperous developing world will be felt here in the UK. The food security underpinned by Ukraine’s shipments will bring broader internal stability, and fewer people forced to make the perilous crossing across the Channel or claim refuge in Britain using legal routes.
Putin seeks to destroy impoverished communities and weaponise starvation for his own geopolitical ambition. Ukraine – against all the odds – seeks to feed societies to build their own stability and future. The contrast could not be more stark.
But Ukraine needs help. More help. Not only does Ukraine stand as a barrier against a Russian incursion into Eastern Europe and westwards, but its Grain from Ukraine initiative stands as resistance to the destabilisation attempts of Putin of Africa and other parts of the world.
With that, Ukraine stands as resistance against Russia’s attempt to weaponise mass-migration against Britain and Europe. The stakes could not be higher.
With military aid a rare point of agreement across all political parties, it is time all those in Westminster to recognise the global importance of a victorious Ukraine at peace, with a restored ability supply the developing world with vital food aid.
Should we fail, the UK will find that the pressures on own immigration system today are light in comparison to the future flood. If we truly want to “stop the boats”, we need to think global, we need to think grain, and we need to provide all we can – including arms – to ensure the unequivocal victory of Ukraine.
Charlotte Leslie is a Global Ambassador of President Zelensky’s ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative, Director of the Conservative Middle East Council and former Member of Parliament for Bristol North West.
Illegal immigration continues to dominate domestic headlines here in the United Kingdom. Stopping the boats and the criminal gangs facilitating the dangerous crossings across the Channel will inevitably be a major issue for both the major political parties over the next five weeks ahead of election day.
However, “stopping the boats” starts with tackling root-causes, not with punchy political announcements. Putting a stop to one route of illegal migration must not be mistaken as a sustainable solution to the core factors driving more and more legitimate refugees to seek respite in the UK.
And make no mistake, mass migration will present a massive challenge for a future government of any stripe to manage.
Food insecurity, climate disasters and internal conflict are the main reasons behind the instability which drives migration. According to the Red Cross, 150 million people in Africa are at risk of hunger and famine, which in turns drives further conflict.
A unified global effort is required to stem this pipeline of suffering, and despite itself being the victim of an illegal invasion from Vladimir Putin, it is Ukraine which has quickly emerged as a vital partner to counter this instability.
Ukraine is not known as the breadbasket of the world for nothing. Kyiv’s commitment to alleviating global food insecurity, even while grappling with its own conflict and devastation, must be seen to be believed.
This year alone, Volodymyr Zelensky’s ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative has delivered thousands of tonnes of grain to countries dealing with the most desperate conflict and starvation, even while Putin’s forces steal grain from occupied territories and send barrages to attack Ukrainian ships navigating the Black Sea. (Of course, instability of nations from starvation is a gift for Putin’s ambitions for Russian influence in Africa.)
But through these shipments from Ukraine, many countries in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Sudan have seen vital food aid prevent millions from falling into famine. In March, a single shipment of 14,076 tonnes of wheat flower landed in Port Sudan to support two million Sudanese from food insecurity and provided some relief amidst civil war and the world’s largest internal displacement crisis.
This relief has far wider implications than temporary food support to fulfil a basic human need. It has given these countries small opportunities to focus on restabilising their nation and ensuring there is a future for those living within it.
Ukraine is a country that knows all about famine. In 1932-1933, millions of Ukrainians suffered famine as a result of Soviet policies. Today, Ukraine’s role as a global food provider is so important that food security sits as a key tenant of Zelensky’s own ‘Peace Framework.’
It is critical the UK supports these efforts. If we want to “stop the boats”, we have to tackle the causes of the boats: famine-stricken Africa countries, over-run with foreign sponsored mercenaries. Such conditions are catastrophic for that nation’s stricken population, catastrophic for global security, and leads to mass-migration which can be weaponised against the West by its global rivals and enemies, not least Putin.
By contrast, the impact of a more stable, secure and prosperous developing world will be felt here in the UK. The food security underpinned by Ukraine’s shipments will bring broader internal stability, and fewer people forced to make the perilous crossing across the Channel or claim refuge in Britain using legal routes.
Putin seeks to destroy impoverished communities and weaponise starvation for his own geopolitical ambition. Ukraine – against all the odds – seeks to feed societies to build their own stability and future. The contrast could not be more stark.
But Ukraine needs help. More help. Not only does Ukraine stand as a barrier against a Russian incursion into Eastern Europe and westwards, but its Grain from Ukraine initiative stands as resistance to the destabilisation attempts of Putin of Africa and other parts of the world.
With that, Ukraine stands as resistance against Russia’s attempt to weaponise mass-migration against Britain and Europe. The stakes could not be higher.
With military aid a rare point of agreement across all political parties, it is time all those in Westminster to recognise the global importance of a victorious Ukraine at peace, with a restored ability supply the developing world with vital food aid.
Should we fail, the UK will find that the pressures on own immigration system today are light in comparison to the future flood. If we truly want to “stop the boats”, we need to think global, we need to think grain, and we need to provide all we can – including arms – to ensure the unequivocal victory of Ukraine.