Dancers and visas. Back in Kyiv, I'm surprised to find a troupe of Ukrainian folk dancers performing outside the embassy.  It's great to see them in action, but not so great to find that they're protesting that they have not been granted visas for a visit to the UK.  They're at the embassy to make the case for that decision to be overturned.  I meet the leaders of the group to explain the visa application and decision-making process.  It is always difficult to explain to an unsuccessful visa applicant the reason why they have not received a visa, which understandably leaves many would-be travellers feeling rejected and upset.  This case is no exception.  But I emphasise the professionalism of the entry clearance staff making the decision, and the fact they have weighed all the available evidence before reaching a conclusion.  I also note the importance for all visa applicants - whether top business people, politicians or artists - to provide the maximum possible amount of information to accompany their visa applications.  Not surprisingly, the dancers are disappointed that I cannot overturn the decisions of the Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs). This is really difficult stuff, and although I am confident in the quality of the decision-making by our ECOs, I feel for the individuals whose hopes have been disappointed.  Afterwards, one of them comments to the media that "it seems that some junior officials [ie who decide visas] are more important than the ambassador".  Well, it's certainly true that the decisions made by Entry Clearance Officers, day in, day out, are at least as difficult as anything I or anyone else in the embassy has to decide.  But it's also true that the system simply would not work if someone else had the power arbitrarily to overturn decisions made according to the proper procedures by the officials who must ultimately bear the responsibility for those decisions.  There is a procedure for appealing against visa decisions.  But it's designed to ensure the facts are carefully reviewed by experts, rather than having decisions taken by ambassadors - however well-intentioned they may be.