March 20, 2022
1 min read

Boris draws flak for comparing Ukraine war to Brexit

UK PM Boris Johnson’s remarks over Ukraine war did not go down well among political figures in the UK and Europe…reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has garnered widespread criticism after her compared the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine to Brexit, a media report said on Sunday.

While addressing a Conservative Party spring conference in Blackpool on Saturday, Johnson said: “I know that it’s the instinct of the people of this country, like the people of Ukraine, to choose freedom, every time. I can give you a couple of famous recent examples.

“When the British people voted for Brexit in such large, large numbers, I don’t believe it was because they were remotely hostile to foreigners.

“It’s because they wanted to be free to do things differently and for this country to be able to run itself.”

But his remarks did not go down well among political figures in the UK and Europe, said the BBC report.

Gavin Barwell, who served as former Prime Minister Theresa May’s chief of staff in No 10, said: “Apart from the bit where voting in a free and fair referendum isn’t in any way comparable with risking your life to defend your country against invasion, and the awkward fact the Ukrainians are fighting for the freedom to join the EU, this comparison is bang on.”

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, chair of the defence select committee, said that “comparing the Ukrainian people’s fight against Putin’s tyranny to the British people voting for Brexit damages the standard of statecraft we were beginning to exhibit”.

Calling Johnson a “national embarrassment”, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “To compare a referendum to women and children fleeing Putin’s bombs is an insult to every Ukrainian. He is no Churchill: he is Basil Fawlty.”

Meanwhile in Europe, Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council, tweeted: “Boris, your words offend Ukrainians, the British and common sense.”

Guy Verhofstadt, the former Prime Minister of Belgium who was the European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator, said the comparison was “insane”.

ALSO READ: Former UK PMs call for Nuremberg-style trial for Putin

Previous Story

Chinese miner opens office in Kabul

Next Story

Pak oppn threatens to block OIC meet

Latest from -Top News

India Rising, Pakistan Crumbling

Pakistan is on the verge of economic collapse and is surviving on IMF loans, with its forex reserves down to $15 billion…reports Asian Lite News While Pakistan has threatened to respond forcefully

Israel backs India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’

The military operation struck camps and logistical hubs linked to terror groups held responsible for orchestrating the Pahalgam attack…reports Asian Lite News Israel has voiced strong support for India’s right to defend

70 Terrorists Killed in Indian Retaliation

The targets were selected based on “credible intelligence input” and focused on “dismantling terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists…reports Asian Lite News In a powerful response to the April 22 terror attack in

India Strikes Deep, Flattens JeM Base

Once a key base for terrorist operations, the site has been reduced to rubble, signalling a strong response to ongoing cross-border threats…reports Asian Lite News In a significant counter-terrorism operation on Wednesday,

Retaliation Looms, Pakistan Alerts UN

On Wednesday, India retaliated against Pakistan for the terrorist attack last month that killed 26 people at Pahalgam in Kashmir…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan has signaled its intent to escalate military action
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Legislation to pave way for new National Holocaust Memorial in UK

Located next to the Houses of Parliament, the memorial will

Palestinian envoy thanks British public  

Emphasizing the importance of grassroot campaigns, Husam Zomlot said that