1026
Today is the start of Lent. I’ve asked Boris Johnson if he’ll give up accepting donations from Russians tied to Putin. He said he’s giving up combing his hair instead.
1027
The government has tweaked its policy to allow some family members of those based in the UK to seek refuge from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh proclaims that Lincolnshire shouldn’t host any more “Eastern Europeans”
1028
When rhetoric meets reality. Well done @dkaleniuk
1030
An overwhelming majority of UK voters support admitting refugees from Ukraine without a visa. The government has yet to change its policy to reflect this. twitter.com/YouGov/status/…
1031
Meetings, studying and phone calls often don’t make for good photos, but they are what is needed for solutions to help the people of Ukraine. Time cabinet ministers spend posing for photos so they look like they matter is time they could be doing things that actually matter.
1032
As my pal @imageplotter points out President Zelenskyy also has a law degree from the Ukrainian equivalent of the LSE. Ronald Reagan was a minor actor before becoming President; Boris Johnson was a failed journalist before becoming a politician.
1033
A brilliantly devastating cartoon from my friend Morten twitter.com/mortenmorland/…
1034
Before becoming President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the voice of Paddington
1035
Here he is, if you missed it. He stood in front of a plane and everything:
1036
Yesterday Boris Johnson proclaimed that the UK was leading on offering asylum to Ukrainians fleeing war while his minister suggested they apply for jobs picking fruit. Today, thankfully, the EU actually did lead: twitter.com/BBCkatyaadler/…
1037
This posed photo opportunity took place in Oxfordshire, in case you’re wondering where the “frontline” is
1038
Johnson is hoping you’ll forget about this. Don’t. twitter.com/timespolitics/…
1039
The member of parliament has deleted his message. In addition to being the elected representative of the people of Torbay, he is also a government minister. For migration.
1040
Polling suggests the majority of the UK public wants to offer refuge to people wishing to escape the hell that has been unleashed upon them. The government is choosing not to.
1041
This is a Conservative MP suggesting Ukrainians wishing to flee an invasion apply for the UK’s seasonal worker scheme (e.g. vegetable picking) to qualify for a visa. The callousness is shocking. This is being suggested in your names; demand better.
1043
How can Ukrainians without immediate family members in the UK apply for asylum here? twitter.com/ukhomeoffice/s…
1044
The people that killed them are cowards. Their victims left us with this mantra that I ask you all to adopt
1045
I’m not usually one for profanities, but rare instances call for them. Yesterday 13 people were murdered for doing their job:
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/02/25…
1046
There are moments that the words don't reach
There is suffering too terrible to name
You hold your child as tight as you can
And push away the unimaginable
(Pic @NurPhoto words @Lin_Manuel)
1048
An attack on Ukranian freedom is an attack on all freedom. You are our sisters and brothers.
1049
Атака на українську свободу – це напад на всю свободу. Ви наші сестри і брати.
1050
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him” twitter.com/BBCWorld/statu…
Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. 15 year old tabby. Living with my fifth Prime Minister. Unofficial. A subpar odyssey.