Our great town’s motto ‘SuperaMoras’ means ‘to overcome difficulties’.

Serving as a poignant reminder that throughout the hard times, when united, as a community and as a nation, we can rise to and overcome the challenge.

Bolton has a strong sense of community. This is the thread that ties us all together.

Look to the height of the pandemic when we stood firm.

Boltonians from all different parts of the community united to defend ourselves from the invisible enemy.

Now Russia has launched an unprovoked violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

And this crisis is being felt on our doorstep.

Bolton is home to a thriving Ukrainian community, featuring the award winning Ukrainian Social Club in The Haulgh.

Run by local hero Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, the club was voted ‘Club of the Year’ by the Campaign for Real Ale’s Bolton branch, for the10th year running.

In August, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian independence and our iconic town hall stood tall adorned in blue and yellow, the first-of-its-kind celebration across the UK.

Also, last year, I welcomed Andriy Marchenko, Minister Counsellor of the Ukrainian Embassy to Bolton.

Our community in Bolton should know we see this as the single biggest international issue staring us in the face. The UK must support Ukraine through this crisis.

Indeed, Bolton has many international links – including with other countries and people facing hardships.

In particular I’m thinking about Afghanistan. And as the newly elected chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Afghanistan, I am working with cross-party colleagues to improve government policy and address Afghanistan’s development, security and humanitarian situation.

At my recent advice surgery at the Jamia Madina Mosque in Halliwell, many residents communicated their concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and stressed how important it is for both people in Bolton and friends in the thick of it.

Suddenly, the world doesn’t seem so big.

Because what happens overseas may have a negative impact here on energy supply, the cost of living, and more generally cause uncertainty.

True to our motto, we must work together to overcome difficulties and protect the UK and her interests.