Last week marked the third anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

In the House of Commons, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed this Labour government’s ironclad support for Ukraine, a commitment to stand with them for as long as it takes. It was extremely encouraging that the pre-election cross-party consensus on support for Ukraine has remained intact...but for one party. The five Reform MPs were conspicuous by their absence.

Putin apologists need to be called out for what they are. Rather than attending to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the Reform leader had fled 290 miles to Carn Brea.

Immediately after his visit he did, however, find time to write an open letter [insulting] our superb local police officers and accusing a councillor of inciting trouble but the letter did highlight just how clueless Farage is about Cornwall.

In contrast, the Labour government is demonstrating our support for Ukraine not just with words but also with action, increasing our Defence budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP three years early, for the first time since the last Labour Government, with an aspiration to increase to three per cent. This will be paid for by reducing the Foreign Development budget – not ideal, but in the face of Putin’s aggression, we have a duty to act. We have also taken the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine to over £1-billion, further demonstrating the UK’s ongoing commitment to working towards supporting Ukraine in achieving peace.

The 100 Year Partnership with Ukraine that has been signed will be revolutionary in deepening security ties and ensuring a strong partnership for generations to come. The agreement will include work to remove barriers to trade and growth between our countries, as well as bolstering military collaboration on maritime security through a new framework to strengthen Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Azov Sea security – a framework which will further deter ongoing Russian aggression.

A notable feature of the discussions surrounding the ongoing support for Ukraine is the massively increased profile of Critical Minerals.

In Cornwall, we have known for generations how vital Critical Minerals are but to see such a worldwide focus will, in my view, raise our profile. Ongoing investment into our domestic Critical Mineral production are essential to ensure that we are not beholden to foreign powers, such as Putin, particularly in geo-politically delicate times.

A steadfast and ironclad approach to our support for Ukraine is of the utmost importance in these turbulent times, and it is that kind of support to which this Labour government is committed. Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the UK is taking a leading role to bridge the divide between the US administration and the EU.

That was never more evident than at the government’s incredibly successful meeting at the White House last week – for the first time in a decade if really feels like Britain is back centre stage of worldwide political influence. Quite simply, that is down to Sir Keir Starmer. I have met and talked to Sir Keir Starmer – you underestimate him at your peril.