Westminster Russia Forum Response to the Times
This response has been written in reply to Times Article by Andrew Gilligan entitled ‘Revealed: how Russia invaded the heart of British power’ – Source – https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/revealed-how-russia-invaded-the-heart-of-british-power-qtmnrb5fm
The differences between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Russian Federation are well documented and hostile pundits two a penny but Chairing one of the few UK-Russia focused groups that exists to highlight the positive areas of cooperation often raises a smile when the usual unfounded claims are made.
Having taken over the Chairmanship of the Westminster Russia Forum in January 2014 I and my committee are used to such claims as outlined in Mr Gilligan’s article of November 5th 2017 – this article uses the Westminster Russia Forum as an editorial lead to wider questions over Russia’s alleged involvement in the US and UK elections. It would be wrong for me as Chair of a group whose membership and supporters represent the full range of political views to comment on this and whilst I fully support the publishing of the article as well as all those others of a similar vain that have come before I would like to make a number of points to counter some of the alleged links between my organization, Vote Leave and the ‘Kremlin’ – namely;
- Our group exists to promote a neutral, positive and mature debate as to future relations between two important nations – where we give a platform to one seemingly ‘pro’ voice we will balance that with a corresponding opinion.
- We publish and promote all views and have given a voice to many of those critical of the Russian Government and its perceived misdemeanors including leading politicians, business people and security think tanks.
- The links with the Leave Campaign – our committee and membership is made of a wide range of political / remain / leave views – I myself was a Labour supporter for many years and our supporters are, like the rest of the country split on the matter of the UK’s leaving of the European Union. Whatever people voted for is their business not ours…
- Our committee structure – we have a wide range of views represented (as with our membership) from UKIP and Conservative to the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party – the majority of our members are interested in not only politics but culture, business and economics.
- Disparate links between an innocent talk on St Petersburg in the Russian Cultural Centre, the Westminster Russia Forum, Brexit, Moscow and Trump – the author has every right to publish what he wishes but the links from our view are opportunistic at best and unfounded.
- Talk in question was a cultural event to launch a historic travel guide of St Petersburg – we are aware that some think there are spies everywhere but can assure you this talk was about the cultural – historic sites of St Pete… worth a trip if people are open minded enough to go!
- Our links with Conservative Friends of Russia / Our outlook – this was now five years ago, times change and as do organisations and as such we suggest people move on. As to our outlook as a group – for every one detractor we find two new friends and are proud to be doing what we are doing. We find that many in the most unlikely of places support our goals – worth mentioning as not everyone is taken in by the hysteria…
Whilst I certainly applaud the article and its publication I would urge those who have taken the time to read it to understand that when it comes to Russia there is always a bias. This is what we are here to attempt to counter and if this article as well as all those who previously have made the unfounded link between my organization and spurious ‘Kremlin Front’ claims helps to promote a debate on the more important matters then I applaud the author for taking the time to pen the piece. Open and free discussion is the basis of any change in public opinion and we welcome all those with differing views – In fact I would like to invite Mr Gilligan and all those interested in a mature debate on Russia to contribute to our blog and even dare I say attend our events. As for those of my committee mentioned specifically I would say they are free to pursue whatever editorial recourse they wish.
We welcome all views – all those interested to can attend our events, conference and submit online content – better to engage first hand and find out what we stand for than baselessly attack an organisation that is trying to fulfil the noble aim of promoting ties between two globally important nations without political bias. The number of senior stakeholders in business, culture and politics who support our aims would on this occasion surprise the author…
To round off, one comment I would make is that when it comes to the press and some within the political establishment the need to portray Russia in a negative light often ends with a ‘two plus two equals five’ conclusion – having been at the coal face of UK Russia relations for some years I would urge all and sundry to question the dominant narrative – it may sell papers but seldom helps to a constructive debate – its not the cold war warriors that lose out but the like of you and I.
With Best Regards,
Nicholas Cobb
Chairman – Westminster Russia Forum
