MP Daniel Kawczynski urged to 'have a heart' by Shrewsbury 'craftivists'
Shrewsbury's Conservative MP has been urged to "have a heart" and welcome refugees to the UK by "craftivists" in the town.
The activists hung garlands of blue and yellow hearts - the colours of both Ukraine and Shrewsbury - near Daniel Kawczysnki's office on Sunday.
It comes after Mr Kawczynski claimed – in a since deleted tweet – that "British left-wing parties" were making "illiterate and immoral" demands for the UK to take in more people fleeing Ukraine.
The Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham argued that Britain should focus on supporting Ukraine’s neighbours because “Ukrainians will need to return home to rebuild their country” when the war is over.
He was widely criticised for the comments, including by his own party, and has since sought to clarify that his focus is on helping the governments of Ukraine and other nearby countries.
He said: "The priority for our government must and should be to financially support countries like Poland to help in looking after these millions of citizens who have fled tyranny.
He added: "The Ukraine government itself is making the point that the greatest assets Ukraine has are its people. The Ukrainian government is quoted as saying it wants 'as many Ukrainians as possible to remain in the region so they can quickly return to rebuild the country when it is safe'."
The garlands were hung on Smithfield Road near the town's Conservative base at the Beaconsfield Club, opposite the bus station, by an anonymous group who identified themselves only as constituents.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We hope that our MP will see these hearts and understand that the people of Shrewsbury and Atcham want to do whatever they can to help vulnerable people who are fleeing from the brutal war in Ukraine.
"We hope he will reflect on his words and actions and take a more compassionate approach. We can support countries close to Ukraine as well as welcoming refugees to the UK. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”
“While we were putting the hearts up, cars were stopping and people were leaning out of the windows saying what a lovely gesture it was and expressing their support for the Ukrainian people, who have astonished the world with their overwhelming bravery and courage in such difficult circumstances.”
Organisers will be posting hearts to Mr Kawczynski in the coming weeks, to keep the plight of Ukrainians at the forefront of his mind.
In response to the event on Sunday, Mr Kawczynski said he fully welcomed the drive to help Ukrainians in the UK and released a lengthy statement which can be read below.
Mr Kawczynski's statement in full
"The support for Ukrainians in my constituency is remarkable, and their feelings of wanting to help the people of Ukraine is shared by me.
"My tweet last week, was misunderstood.
"I absolutely welcome Ukranian refuges in the UK. I have supported the country and the people of Ukraine from the start of this conflict, I have even debated publicly about Ukraine joining NATO.
"I recently held a call with people originally from Ukraine or with links to the country to offer my help and assistance.
"I meant nothing but well for the people of Ukraine and ask only that the full context of what I wrote be considered. To the Ukrainians trying to come to the UK, I am on your side.
"I reiterate some explanatory points I made over the weekend:
"Firstly, no European country has done more than the UK to support and train Ukrainian armed forces and to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
"I felt that politicians were deliberately pandering to the populist agenda/narrative which is Britain is impeding Ukrainians from seeking sanctuary on our shores. This is not the case.
"Putin is deliberately attempting to frighten Ukrainians away, so that it weakens them as a nation. The greatest resource any country has are its people.
"Putin wants to drive them away so that his efforts to Russify large parts of Ukraine lead to its control by Russia either directly or as a puppet state.
"Therefore, I do think that the UK should absolutely welcome Ukrainians seeking refuge, I also understand and support fully what President Zelenskyy has himself stated, that Ukrainians should try to remain in the region.
"Firstly, the country's greatest power remains close by, its people. Secondly, when the war is won, and we are optimistic that Ukraine will emerge triumphant, Ukrainians won't have far to go, to the place they call home.
"I fully welcome the government's drive to get British people to open their homes to Ukrainians who wish to come to the UK.
"I have always, and will continue to encourage anyone with family in Ukraine needing support, or people here wanting to help, to contact my office if you need assistance.
"My team and I are doing everything we can to respond to all enquiries and be of the best assistance to Ukrainians."
