29 October 2020
A statement in solidarity with the uprising in Belarus, signed by MPs, activists, trade unionists and others.
As activists, writers, trade unionists and politicians on the left in the UK, we are writing to extend our solidarity with the people of Belarus in their struggle for democracy. Since the rigged elections on 8th August, millions of Belarusians have defied the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.
The strikes and mass protests taking place across Belarus are not just an important means of defying Lukashenko. They are an inspiration to workers and progressives across Europe and the world.
Our solidarity extends to all those who are struggling for democracy, the rights of minorities, and for the right to freely dissent and organise in Belarus. We note also the special role of organised workers in the uprising, and we send our solidarity to them in the face of persecution and strike-breaking by the regime.
We utterly reject the idea that democratisation, or a more open society, need be a move towards neo liberal economic reforms. Only by organising together as a mass movement can ordinary people guarantee and extend democracy in society and the economy.
We will organise in solidarity with the people of Belarus. We call on the left, progressives and the trade union movement in the UK and across the world to do likewise, and to oppose the introduction of repressive forces from outside Belarus.
- John McDonnell MP
- Nadia Whittome MP
- Caroline Lucas MP
- Owen Thompson MP
- Kenny Macaskill MP
- Virendra Sharma MP
- Apsana Begum MP
- Clive Lewis MP
- Kate Osamor MP
- Sam Tarry MP
- Mick Antoniw AM, Member of Welsh Parliament
- Paul Mason, journalist
- Richard Corbett, Shipley, former leader of Labour MEPs
- Michael Chessum, Another Europe is Possible
- Ana Oppenheim, Momentum NCG
- Peter Tatchell, human rights activist
- Laura Parker, former Momentum national coordinator
- Zoe Williams, London, journalist
- Pasco-Q Kevlin, Labour Party
- Anthony Ingle, Musician
- Peter Buckley, Oldham West and Royton Labour CLP
- Robbie Stamp
- Joseph Healy, Anti Capitalist Resistance
- Anthony Cable
- Sarah Windrum
- Scarlett McGuire, London, Journalist
- Shaista Aziz, Oxford Labour Councillor, Stop Trump coalition
- Simon Bean
- Joseph Ingleby
- Eleanor Gibson
- Philippa Rathborne
- Bill Starling
- Roy Seaman
- Deborah Jay-Lewin
- Lorraine Shaw, Member of the Labour Party
- Ken Barker, Unite (Cardiff General Branch)
- Daniel Randall, Assistant Chair, RMT Bakerloo branch (pc)
- Howard Harris
- Ian Fairbairn
- Julian Evans, Bristol, MCIJ
- Sandro Montagner, London
- David Taffs, Dartford
- Mike McNulty, Edinburgh, SNP Member
- Gemma Driver, West Sussex, Development Consultant
- Viv Seears, Maentwrog
- Diana Morgan, Leatherhead Surrey England
- Huw Morgan, London
- Nigel Hawker, Yorkshire
- Brian Fowler, Lancashire
- Tim Guy, Milton Keynes
- Miles Newman, Lancaster
- Morgan Gordon, London
- Darius Samadian, Harrogate
- Thomas Grayson-Smith, London
- Caroline Hering, London
- Nick Maiden, Chester
- Ian Callister, Ashford
- Juliana Grundy, Wigan, UNISON and Labour Party
- C.fraser, Hertfordshire, Anti Facist
- Stephanie Bowgett, Huddersfield
- Kevin Edwards, Brighton
- David Cooper, Crawley
- Stephen Harvey, Southampton
- Lyndsay Wheble, Bristol
- Sonia Rawlinson, Burnley
- Bridget Carrington, Dereham, Norfolk, Labour Party member
- Di Murray , Barnstaple
- Katie Blood, Tamworth
- Richard Duployen, Abingdon-on-Thames, European Movement, Oxford Region Branch
- John Camp, London
- Timothy Mullen, Stoke-on-Trent
- Jennie Cook, Southbourne
- John Collins, London
- Edna Mullen , Stoke-on-Trent
- Shelley Jackson , Towcester
- Irena Paxton, Cardiff
- Keith Reader, London
- Simon Evans, London, Labour Party
- Jenifer Wates, Woodstock
- Ruth Appleton, London, Labour Party Delegate from Camden Unison
- Dr Christopher Wilkinson, Rhymney
- Martin Huebscher, Tunbridge Wells
- Alison Rees, W Sussex
- Achsa Griffiths, Sandwich
- Susan Mosedale, Glasgow
- Philip Hylton , Warrington
- David Sylph, York, Human rights activist
- Joan Green, Cambridge
- Richard Pierson, Yorkshire
- Anthony lilly, Battle, Engineer
- Stan Smith, Nottingham, Labour Party member
- John Warburton, Mold
- Michal Guest Rob Payne, Southport
- Keith Leech, Rotherham
- Hannah Cole, Oxford
- Daniel Nichols, Romford, Political Officer, Romford Labour Party
- Oliver Senton, Kent
- Roger Coates, Silesia, Retired
- Lyn Parry, Barcelona, Ex social worker
- Anne Davidson, Surrey
and 1124 other named individuals.