“If Ukraine falls… we know what happens next”, former Tory MP Jack Lopresti tells Trevor Phillips from Kyiv.
Less than a year ago, he was the parliamentary representative for Filton and Bradley Stoke near Bristol – now he is working with the Ukrainian military.
Mr Lopresti is a former reservist soldier, although plays down his time in Afghanistan when asked.
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But he has returned to his past way of life after leaving politics behind.
“The last time I spoke in the House of Commons, I said that the defence of the UK began in Ukraine,” Mr Lopresti – who says he prefers being called Jack (short for Giacomo) – told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.
“And I’ve been coming here for two years now, regularly helping with charities to work with defence manufacturers in my previous constituency.
“And about a year ago, I thought to myself, well, you know, politics looks difficult for us as a party at the moment, to say the least, and if I were not re-elected, then I’d come out here and do whatever I could to help. And I knew in the back of my mind that more than likely I would end up in the military, which is where I am.”
This is a somewhat different path than that taken by many former politicians – who tend to revert to careers as lawyers, lobbyists or talking heads.
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Mr Lopresti says Ukrainians are not just fighting for their own survival and freedom – but that is also “our” battle, referring to the UK’s support for Kyiv.
“If Ukraine falls, if we fail here, then we know [Putin] won’t stop. So, you know, this is a battle for Europe.
“And if Putin succeeds, it is a green light for dictators everywhere.”
The former MP goes on: “I cannot reiterate that…
