Poland must remember Britain is a true friend, not an enemy All EU politicians should engage with the UK on immigration, writes Daniel Kawczynski As a British politician of Polish origin, Anglo-Polish relations have always been an area of significant interest to me. I have hoped for many years that our two countries can work together to pursue, along with others, a different framework and function for the EU than has hitherto been the case under the current Franco-German hegemony. In this regard, recent comments from Warsaw directed at David Cameron over intra-EU immigration are especially disappointing. Since the 2004 accession of 10 new countries, Britain - unlike many EU member that implemented restrictions on freedom of movement - continued to be a friend to Poland. The 2011 census shows more than half a million Poles now live in the UK, where Polish is now the second most widely spoken language. The hard work of Polish migrants has contributed about 1 per cent to the UK's gross domestic product since 2005, according to a report by the University of Roehampton. However, during a recent visit to Warsaw I became extremely dismayed at Polish politicians" complete indifference to Britain's attempts to renegotiate its position within the EU. There was a distinct predisposition towards keeping their German and Russian neighbours happy while overlooking the historic support and commitment their country has received from the UK. This recent spat between Poland's senior politicians and Mr Cameron, lambasting him for raising concerns about workers being able to claim child benefit for children who have been left overseas, typifies the lack of understanding in Warsaw of Britain's position. Of course the UK prime minister has to highlight the concerns of British citizens and as such has called to scrap these payments. Poles are among the biggest migrant communities in Britain and so Mr Cameron was merely pointing to that community as an example of the potential for the rules to be abused. This is an issue relevant to all 28 member states. All politicians across Europe should engage with the substance of his proposals. Rather than bickering with the UK, it would be more beneficial for Poland's leaders to engage with how London and Warsaw can work together to better manage the impact of intra-EU migration on social security systems. I was especially disappointed by this lack of understanding from them, as many have personally benefited from being educated in the UK or have children studying here. I fear that bilateral relations between Poland and the UK will suffer in future if Warsaw continues to ignore the British perspective purely for expediency purposes. There are extensive examples of recent co-operation between the two nations, with a strong common thread of decency and integrity that Britain has always shown towards Poland and its people. History shows that Britain and Poland have built a strong and mutually beneficial relationship, and I am proud that no country has shown more commitment and consideration to Poland than the UK. After monumental co-operation during the second world war, Britain continued to offer support at what was an especially difficult time throughout eastern Europe. In the 1970s and 1980s, no clearer indication of Britain's support for Poland could be seen than the actions of Margaret Thatcher. In 1988 the Iron Lady was the first western leader to go to Gdansk to meet Lech Walesa, the leader of the Solidarity trade union. On her visit 20,000 Poles came out into the streets to greet her enthusiastically. A true friend is one who does not forget past actions of kindness and, like in any friendship, candour is of the utmost importance. Britain and the British people need a renegotiation of their membership with the EU. Within such a renegotiation, the welfare system is a significant element and this is something Polish politicians need to understand. I would urge my counterparts in the National Assembly to remember the UK's historical and unquestionable commitment to Poland and the sacrifices made over many decades for their country, and rather than viewing any one action by the UK as a smite on them or their country, to recognise instead that Britain is seeking a much-needed renegotiation with the whole of the EU. The writer is the Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham