, Leader of the Labour Party, said:
“After the despicable acts of violence we witnessed on Thursday,
the end of the evacuation from Kabul Airport marks a sad and dark
day for many people in Afghanistan.
“Amid the chaos, there have been many acts of courage. The
Ambassador staying at his post to process every case he could.
Paratroopers lifting people from the crush. Afghan soldiers who
continue to serve alongside us to the end.
“Soldiers and airmen, diplomats and embassy staff, working side
by side with many Afghans have struggled tirelessly and bravely
under immense pressure to get as many people to safety as
possible. Their efforts must be widely recognised and honoured.
“It has been a remarkable effort in unimaginably difficult
circumstances with many acts of courage and heroism.
“However, with the withdrawal we face the heart-breaking reality
that people have been left behind, including many to whom we owe
so much. The British Government must take its fair share of the
responsibility and has serious questions to answer about how,
despite having 18 months to prepare, their failure to plan and
inability to influence others has contributed to this tragic
political failure.
“But first, although we no longer have a military presence in
Afghanistan, we cannot and will not walk away from our
obligations to the Afghan people. We must urgently help the
thousands who we have left behind, some of whom are eligible for
relocation under the ARAP scheme. There are MPs all over the UK
who have constituents still pleading for their help. The
Government must work quickly to deliver a strategy to get those
people out and work with the UN and partners to quickly deliver
essential aid directly to those in need.
“We must then confront the new reality and challenges of Taliban
control. Britain and our allies must use every lever we have to
try and hold the Taliban to account. Before Parliament returns,
the Prime Minister should set out in detail the G7 roadmap he has
promised, including a plan to control Afghan financial assets,
and a strategy to ensure Afghanistan does not become a haven for
terror and a threat to our security once again.”
