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.

1. John McDonnell MP
2. Nadia Whittome MP
3. Caroline Lucas MP
4. Owen Thompson MP
5. Kenny Macaskill MP
6. Virendra Sharma MP
7. Apsana Begum MP
8. Clive Lewis MP
9. Kate Osamor MP
10. Sam Tarry MP
11. Mick Antoniw AM, Member of Welsh Parliament
12. Paul Mason, journalist
13. Richard Corbett, Shipley, former leader of Labour MEPs
14. Michael Chessum, Another Europe is Possible
15. Ana Oppenheim, Momentum NCG 
16. Peter Tatchell, human rights activist
17. Laura Parker, former Momentum national coordinator
18. Zoe Williams, London, journalist
19. Pasco-Q Kevlin, Labour Party
20. Anthony Ingle, Musician
21. Peter Buckley, Oldham West and Royton Labour CLP
22. Robbie Stamp
23. Joseph Healy, Anti Capitalist Resistance
24. Anthony Cable 
25. Sarah Windrum 
26. Scarlett McGuire, London, Journalist
27. Shaista Aziz, Oxford Labour Councillor, Stop Trump coalition
28. Simon Bean
29. Joseph Ingleby
30. Eleanor Gibson 
31. Philippa Rathborne
32. Bill Starling
33. Roy Seaman 
34. Deborah Jay-Lewin
35. Lorraine Shaw, Member of the Labour Party 
36. Ken Barker, Unite (Cardiff General Branch)
37. Daniel Randall, Assistant Chair, RMT Bakerloo branch (pc)
38. Howard Harris
39. Ian Fairbairn 
40. Julian Evans, Bristol, MCIJ
41. Sandro Montagner, London
42. David Taffs, Dartford
43. Mike McNulty, Edinburgh, SNP Member
44. Gemma Driver, West Sussex, Development Consultant
45. Viv Seears, Maentwrog
46. Diana Morgan, Leatherhead Surrey England
47. Huw Morgan, London
48. Nigel Hawker, Yorkshire
49. Brian Fowler, Lancashire
50. Tim Guy, Milton Keynes
51. Miles Newman, Lancaster
52. Morgan Gordon, London
53. Darius Samadian, Harrogate  
54. Thomas Grayson-Smith, London 
55. Caroline Hering, London
56. Nick Maiden, Chester
57. Ian Callister, Ashford 
58. Juliana Grundy, Wigan, UNISON and Labour Party 
59. C.fraser, Hertfordshire, Anti Facist
60. Stephanie Bowgett, Huddersfield
61. Kevin Edwards, Brighton
62. David Cooper, Crawley
63. Stephen Harvey, Southampton 
64. Lyndsay Wheble, Bristol 
65. Sonia Rawlinson, Burnley
66. Bridget Carrington, Dereham, Norfolk, Labour Party member
67. Di Murray , Barnstaple 
68. Katie Blood, Tamworth 
69. Richard Duployen, Abingdon-on-Thames, European Movement, Oxford Region Branch
70. John Camp, London
71. Timothy Mullen, Stoke-on-Trent
72. Jennie Cook, Southbourne
73. John Collins, London
74. Edna Mullen , Stoke-on-Trent
75. Shelley Jackson , Towcester 
76. Irena Paxton, Cardiff
77. Keith Reader, London 
78. Simon Evans, London, Labour Party
79. Jenifer Wates, Woodstock
80. Ruth Appleton, London, Labour Party Delegate from Camden Unison
81. Dr Christopher Wilkinson, Rhymney
82. Martin Huebscher, Tunbridge Wells 
83. Alison Rees, W Sussex
84. Achsa Griffiths, Sandwich 
85. Susan Mosedale, Glasgow 
86. Philip Hylton , Warrington 
87. David Sylph, York, Human rights activist
88. Joan Green, Cambridge
89. Richard Pierson, Yorkshire  
90. Anthony lilly, Battle, Engineer
91. Stan Smith, Nottingham, Labour Party member
92. John Warburton, Mold
93. Michal Guest Rob Payne, Southport 
94. Keith Leech, Rotherham 
95. Hannah Cole, Oxford 
96. Daniel Nichols, Romford, Political Officer, Romford Labour Party
97. Oliver Senton, Kent
98. Roger Coates, Silesia, Retired
99. Lyn Parry, Barcelona, Ex social worker
100. Anne Davidson, Surrey

and 1124 other named individuals.