Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised for comparing the plight of Ukrainians fighting Russia’s invasion to Britain’s Brexiteers.
In a recent speech to the Conservative Party’s spring conference in Blackpool, the prime Minister said Britons, like Ukrainians, had the instinct “to choose freedom” and cited the 2016 vote to leave the EU as an example.
He 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.”
The comment angered some politicians both in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Donald Tusk, ex-president of the European Council, tweeted: “Boris, your words offend Ukrainians, the British and common sense.”
Lord Barwell, who served as 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.”
