18 JANUARY 1925
It was suggested that Liberal MP Henry Hadyn Jones should stand down as the party’s candidate in his constituency to allow Herbert Asquith to stand.
Sir Henry Duke, who was created a Peer in the New Year’s Honours List, will take the title of Lord Merrivale.
Glamorgan County Council announced that it was embarking on a £400,000 road scheme.
17 JANUARY 1925
A General Conference on the question of Inter-Allied debts is regarded as certain. The British Government, it is authoritatively stated, adheres to the principle of the Balfour Note as the basis of the policy it will develop in its reply to the French Memorandum lately received.
The Paris Press, in commenting on the formation of the new German Cabinet, lays stress on the reactionary character of Dr Luther’s Ministry.
In the French Chamber M. Herriot, the Premier, was questioned by a Communist Deputy with regard to the prosecution of Señor Blasco Ibanez, the Spanish novelist, on account of his pamphlet attacking King Alfonso. M. Herriot replied that he must see that the law was respected.
The Conference of the Baltic States opened at Helsingfors. The Soviet Press says that the formation of a Baltic Alliance should be regarded as a hostile action towards Russia, particularly if Poland participated.
A Cairo message with reference to the Egyptian elections says that the recent resignations from the party have caused a distinct feeling of nervousness and uneasiness in the ranks of the Zaghlulists.
The President of the Board of Trade, speaking at Bradford, said that while in the past few months the adverse balance of trade was excessive, there were a great many factors that made a pessimistic judgement too bad. There would not have been an appreciation of exchange if their adverse balance represented a growing debt.
16 JANUARY 1925
A new German Cabinet has been formed, with Dr Luther as Chancellor and Herr Stresemann as Foreign Minister.
Correspondence between M. Clementel and Mr Churchill has been issued by the Foreign Office. In his letter of January 10, M. Clementel indicates the desire of the French Government to resume a friendly examination of the unsolved problem of inter-Allied debts, and asks whether the British Government adhere to the principles set out in their previous Notes, in particular the Curzon Note of August 11, 1923. Mr Churchill, replying on January 13, promises that the British Government “will endeavour to send an answer which will place the French Government in a position to present us with definite proposals,” and repeats “that the Balfour Note remains for us a dominating guide of principle.”
Mr. Wood, the Minister of Agriculture, at Stockton, said no agricultural policy was worth anything that could not on its face carry a reasonable guarantee of its own permanence. He deplored the fact that the workers refused to enter the proposed Conference, for it was an opportunity for them stating their own case which was not likely to recur in the lifetime of any of them.
Investigations regarding the disappearance of Miss Elsie Cameron took a sensational turn. Scotland Yard officers, in the course of digging operations at the farm of Mr Norman Thorne, the missing girl’s fiancé, came upon a suit-case containing a woman’s clothing, a pair of eyeglasses, and a chain bag, and later they discovered a body in three sections. Mr Thorne was detained by the police.
Evidence was given before the Commission on Food Prices by a Liverpool grain statistician and on behalf of the National Association of Flour Importers.
15 JANUARY 1925
The Inter-Allied agreement on war claims was formally ratified before the dispersal of the Paris Conference delegations. In the closing speeches emphasis was laid on the spirit of accommodation and goodwill shown by the Powers concerned. This, it was urged, encouraged hope of a settlement of outstanding post-war problems.
During Tuesday night’s storm the London steamer Cardiff Hall, 3994 tons, foundered off the south coast of Ireland, and all on board were lost.
The steam flat Bankhall, belonging to Messrs Lever Brothers, sank in the Mersey. The captain and the engineer were drowned.
In Edinburgh and district much damage was done by the gale. The Rivers Tay, Lyon, and Spey were in heavy flood, and between Newtonmore and Kincraig for a distance of nine miles fields were under water.
Two men were killed and several injured in an explosion at an oil fuel station at Port Victoria, near Sheerness.
At the inquest on the victims of the Croydon air disaster there were several sensational incidents. The Coroner held that certain allegations that witnesses had been tampered with was not proved.
The Minister of Labour, speaking in Glasgow on the industrial outlook, said he thought light could be seen at the end of the tunnel, but it required the co-operation of all parties to enable industry to get right through the tunnel and out at last to a place in the sun.
14 JANUARY 1925
The final report of the financial experts at the Paris Conference will be placed before a concluding plenary session to-day. Ratification of the agreement by all the delegations is expected. France, it is reported, will sign unconditionally.
The White House contradicts reports that the change in the American Foreign Secretaryship would lead to modification of the foreign policy followed by Mr Hughes at the State Department. It is added that United States policy with regard to Russia will remain unchanged as long as conditions continue as they are.
A Melbourne telegram states that the Federal Parliament may be summoned to deal with the shipping strike.
A Berlin-Cologne express collided in dense fog with a stationary train at Herne, in Westphalia. Twenty-three of the passengers in the stationary train were killed, and 50 were injured. Three persons were killed and several injured in a similar accident at Hettingen, in the Ruhr.
Sixteen lives have been lost by the foundering of the Tyneside vessel John Harrison. The chief engineer resided in Ayr.
It was announced by Mr David Kirkwood that the Secretary for Scotland had decided to appoint a Commission to inquire into the Clydebank rent dispute. Further evictions took place at Clydebank in the morning, when a number of Pressmen were attacked by an unruly mob.
STORY
Mike Amesbury, the former Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has officially stepped down after being convicted of assaulting a constituent. The incident, which took place in October 2024, involved a physical altercation between Amesbury and local resident Paul Fellows. The dispute reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the closure of a local bridge. CCTV footage later revealed that Amesbury struck Fellows multiple times before others intervened to break up the confrontation.
Amesbury was initially sentenced to 10 weeks in prison. However, upon appeal, the sentence was suspended for two years. As part of his punishment, he is required to participate in anger management programs, complete 200 hours of community service, and undergo alcohol monitoring.
Following his conviction, Amesbury expressed deep regret for his actions and announced his resignation from Parliament. His departure has triggered a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, marking the first contest of its kind since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister in July 2024. This election is expected to serve as an early test of public opinion on the Labour Party’s leadership, while also providing an opportunity for opposition parties, including Reform UK under Nigel Farage, to contest the seat.
Amesbury had served as an MP since 2017, initially representing the Weaver Vale constituency before boundary changes led to the formation of Runcorn and Helsby. His resignation highlights the serious repercussions faced by elected officials involved in criminal offences, reinforcing the necessity of maintaining public trust and ethical standards in government.
![PRESS RELEASE : UK steps up life-saving medical support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces [February 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mod.png)
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 February 2025.
The Ministry of Defence will double its funding for medical and rehabilitation services for Ukraine’s troops.
Britain is stepping up support for Ukrainian troops wounded on the frontline, who will receive life-saving medical support and rehabilitation services through the UK’s Project Renovator. The programme, which will see its funding doubled, also includes training for surgeons and rebuilding of a military hospital targeted by Russian bombs.
Project Renovator draws on the UK’s leading defence medical expertise to expand Ukraine’s military rehabilitation and medical services and help troops who suffered life-changing injuries to return to the frontline or help them readjust to civilian life after the conflict ends.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP has today announced a new £20m funding package to step up the programme further – doubling the Government’s funding for the scheme – as the UK’s cast-iron commitment to Ukraine continues three years into the conflict.
The project, which started in October 2023 demonstrates the UK’s international leadership role, taking responsibility for repairing and upgrading a military rehabilitation hospital which was targeted and bombed by Putin’s forces earlier in the conflict. The UK is also encouraging allies to support and grow this work as part of the broader NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine scheme.
From providing life-saving surgery, to issuing advanced prosthetics, physiotherapy, and aftercare, the rehabilitation hospital will be a significant upgrade for Ukraine’s current services, with Ukrainian surgeons, doctors, and nurses being trained by the UK.
The announcement comes on the third anniversary of Putin launching his illegal full-scale invasion, as the Home Office announced new measures to block Russian elites entering the UK. It forms part of this Government’s record support for Ukraine this year – building on £12.8 billion worth of military, humanitarian, and economic support since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
As we mark three years of this brutal conflict, Putin is still waging a war he thought he would win in three days, because of fierce resistance to the Russian invasion from ordinary Ukrainians – military and civilian alike.
In this critical period, Ukrainians need our support to keep them in the fight and to put their nation in the strongest possible position ahead of any talks. That’s why we are stepping up further our UK leadership and life-saving medical support for brave Ukrainian fighters. Our commitment to them is unshakeable.
I’m proud of the UK’s leadership in supporting Ukraine, both now and in the long-term, and this new investment in Ukraine’s military medical services will harness the UK’s leading expertise to ensure wounded troops are given the best treatment possible.
The work will help address a major challenge posed by the conflict, with the largest casualty figures seen in Europe since the Second World War. The support stands in stark contrast to Russia’s widely-reported poor treatment of Russian casualties and veterans, leading to instances of crime and violence when they return from the frontline.
While a small number of British personnel have been working to deliver the project in Ukraine, nearly 100 Ukrainian surgeons, doctors, and nurses are due to travel to the UK this year to receive further medical training using the latest techniques and equipment.
Around £20m of money from a NATO common fund has been invested in the rehabilitation hospital so far, much of which was provided by the UK. In addition to major structural repairs, improvements have included more than £300k worth of new gym equipment, and £400k worth of prosthetics and associated equipment.
Norway has also announced it is carrying out similar work to repair and improve a similar facility under the same NATO scheme, working closely with the UK. It comes as both nations have committed to deepen military ties, with a new agreement being drawn up following a visit from the Defence Secretary last week.
Defence Medical Services personnel from Project Renovator have been working with the team at the UK’s world-leading equivalent, the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, to produce around 50 rehabilitation training videos to support the training of Ukrainian medical staff.
The UK Armed Forces are experts in the area of defence medical services and rehabilitation, pioneering the field during the Second World War.
These services are absolutely essential to ensuring veterans get the support they need to go back to their daily lives after being on the frontline, especially if wounded.
The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall in particular is a world-leading facility, and I am proud that the equipment and the skills of our personnel are being put to good use in supporting Ukraine.
This year, the UK will spend £4.5 billion on military assistance for Ukraine – more than ever before. Supporting Ukraine in the conflict and to secure a peace deal is critical for the security of Europe and the UK, a foundation for the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary announced a new £150 million firepower package including drones, tanks and air defence systems.
Since July 2024, the Government has provided over £5.26 billion in military aid and financial support to Ukraine, including a £3 billion annual military aid and a £2.26 billion loan for military spending. This includes £300 million for artillery ammunition and £68 million for air defence systems, as well as the new £150 million firepower package for thousands of drones, dozens of battle tanks and armoured vehicles.
The UK Government has supplied over 90,000 rounds of 155mm artillery, 150 artillery barrels, and 10 AS90 self-propelled howitzers. Air defence support includes 17 Gravehawk systems, 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems, and £68 million for radars and counter-drone tech.
The UK has also invested £7.5 million in drone technology and continues training, surpassing 50,000 Ukrainian troops under Operation Interflex. Naval support totals £92 million, providing drones, uncrewed vessels, loitering munitions, and mine countermeasure drones.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 24 February 2025.
Thank you very much – colleagues, let me start with Volodymyr and saying on this day of all days, I want to pay tribute to your leadership Volodymyr. And friends – it’s right that we mark this grim anniversary together. For three years we have been united in opposition to Russia’s barbaric invasion. And for three years we have been full of admiration for the incredible response of the Ukrainian people.
Their voices must be must at the heart of the drive for peace. And I want to be clear – I hear them. I think of the soldiers and civilians that I met in Kyiv just a few weeks ago in the ICU, in the burns unit… The witnesses to the horror of Bucha… The school children I met living under constant bombardment… The soldiers training in the UK, bound for the frontline… Their voices echo in my ears – They inform the decisions I take – and the peace that I believe we must see.
So I have a very simple, clear message today: the UK is with you. Today and every day. From His Majesty the King… To the NHS workers volunteering in hospitals in Ukraine… To the communities that took Ukrainian refugees to their heart. And that’s why I signed our 100-year partnership with President Zelenskyy last month – Because we believe in Ukraine’s fight today, and the country’s incredible potential to thrive in the years to come.
This is a time for unity. In this crucial moment as talks begin – we must work together to shape the outcome.
Russia does not hold all the cards in this war… Because the Ukrainians have the courage to defend their country… Because Russia’s economy is in trouble… And because they have now lost the best of their land forces and their Black Sea Fleet in this pointless invasion. So we must increase the pressure even further to deliver an enduring peace, not just a pause in fighting. We can do that in three ways.
First, by stepping up our military support to Ukraine. The UK is doing that… Providing £4.5bn in military aid this year – more than ever before. We’re doing more than ever to train Ukrainian troops, helping Ukraine to mobilise even further… And we’re proud to have taken on the leadership of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.
Secondly, we must keep dialling up the economic pressure… To get Putin to a point where he is ready not just to talk, but to make concessions. So today we’re announcing the UK’s largest package of sanctions since the early days of the war… Going after Russia’s shadow fleet… And going after companies in China and elsewhere who are sending military components.
Later today I will be discussing further steps with the G7 – And I am clear that the G7 should be ready to take on more risk – Including on the oil price cap… Sanctioning Russia’s oil giants… And going after the banks that are enabling the evasion of sanctions.
Third, we must bring our collective strength to the peace effort.
President Trump has changed the global conversation over the last few weeks. And it has created an opportunity. Now, we must get the fundamentals right.
If we want peace to endure, Ukraine must have a seat at the table… And any settlement must be based on a sovereign Ukraine… Backed up with strong security guarantees. The UK is ready and willing to support this with troops on the ground – With other Europeans, and with the right conditions in place.
And ultimately a US backstop will be vital to deter Russia from launching another invasion in just a few years’ time.
So we will do everything we can to get the best outcome for Ukraine – and for us all. Let me close with one of those voices I mentioned earlier – A patient called Petro, from the burns unit I visited in Kyiv. He said to me… “If Ukraine fails, Europe will be next.” That is what’s at stake here. That is why we will always stand with Ukraine, and with our allies… Against this aggression… And for a just and lasting peace. Slava Ukraini.
![PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte [February 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/downingstreet.png)
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 February 2025.
The Prime Minister spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this evening.
Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Prime Minister began by underscoring that Ukraine must be in the strongest position possible.
The leaders agreed that there could be no negotiations about Ukraine, without Ukraine. They agreed it was important for Europe to step up in order to ensure European security.
The Prime Minister said he would continue to have these vital discussions with international partners, including during his visit to Washington D.C.
They agreed to speak soon.
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 February 2025.
The Prime Minister spoke with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau this evening.
The discussion began by reflecting ahead of tomorrow’s call with G7 and European leaders, to mark three years since Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine – a grim reminder of the continued suffering of the people of Ukraine.
They both underscored their unwavering commitment to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going forward.
The leaders reiterated that working together alongside other international leaders was essential to achieve lasting peace and security in Ukraine.
They agreed to keep in touch, with both looking forward to speaking again during Monday’s call, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Trudeau.