By Justin Madders

MP for Ellesmere Port

FIRST and foremost a Member of Parliament’s duty is to represent the interests of his or her constituents.

Often that involves taking up casework on their behalf with Ministers in various Government departments on what are commonly known as ‘domestic’ matters within the UK.

But sometimes an MP’s responsibility is to stand up for constituents on the international stage by taking a stand on matters of fundamental importance abroad.

Events in the last week emphasise all too clearly why we need to concentrate on what is happening thousands of miles away from home in order to protect the lives of those living in the UK.

At the same time we must be eternally grateful that we do not routinely fall victim to appalling natural disasters which claim thousands of lives in a truly devastating manner.

So my thoughts are firstly with the brave people of Ukraine who are doing their utmost to battle against the relentless war-mongering efforts of Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

And my thoughts also extend to the citizens of both Turkey and Syria who have been cruelly deprived of a mind-boggling 35,000 lives (at the time this column was written) – equivalent to half of the entire population resident in my constituency.

It was a privilege to hear President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in person in Parliament last week. In what was a hugely powerful speech he told us all: “The world needs your leadership, Britain, just as it needs Ukrainian bravery.”

Mr Zelenskyy received a standing ovation and cheers during his surprise visit to London. Wearing his usual outfit of military fatigues, he entered the famous Westminster Hall to a standing ovation and cheers from MPs and peers.

He said: "We will always come out on top of evil. We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose."

He thanked "all the people of England and Scotland, of Wales and Northern Ireland" for their support on behalf of "our fighters who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire".

Mr Zelenskyy presented the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, with a signed helmet from "one of our most successful" Ukrainian Air Force pilots.

Turning now to Turkey and Syria, where people have been pulled alive after being buried under rubble for, in some cases, days.

Advertiseme"He's one of our kings," he said.Turning to Turkey and Syria, we have witnessed incredible feats of people being rescued despite being trapped under rubble for, in some cases, hundreds of hours.

A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake had struck south east Turkey and north west Syria on Monday, February 6, followed nine hours later a second earthquake struck the same region with a magnitude of 7.5.

As usual, Britain is now playing a full part in an international humanitarian emergency response which I wish to see develop into a long-term plan.

Meanwhile, millions have been raised for the disaster fund while collections of essentials have been collected and bundled by volunteers in Ellesmere Port before being transported to the earthquake zone showing once again the generosity of people in the constituency.