As you will now be aware, the Commons has voted in favour of the UK launching airstrikes in Syria and I can confirm I also voted in favour. Before I go on to explain my decision I would like to stress that it was no easy decision for me personally, and was probably the biggest and most difficult decision I will have to make as an MP. As you will understand, this is an incredibly complex issue and I was pleased to consider every single communication I received from constituents on both sides of the argument when making my decision.
Primarily, my mind was swayed by the knowledge that our children and communities would be no safer should we choose inaction. I could not sit idly by knowing that Daesh’s affiliates in the UK have tried to cause us harm and death no less than 7 times in the past year, and they will try do so again. By taking action we are joining a UN mandated international coalition to combat what is without question an evil, terrorist organisation. At the end of the day we are not choosing to enter this fight, we are in fact already in it whether we like it or not.
I know many constituents raised concerns around collateral damage as a result of the tactics Daesh use. I share with everyone the plea that no innocent civilians are killed, and knowing I would mourn every innocent life lost has made the decision that bit harder. However I am encouraged that the UK can contribute our precision brimstone missiles, which limit damage to communities. These weapons are amongst the most accurate in the world, are recognised as lawful, and is in fact one of the key reasons our assistance has been requested by our allies. It is worth noting that while Daesh may choose to hide amongst the local populace in certain circumstances, they are in fact a de facto state with governance headquarters, communications and infrastructure, oil depots, training facilities, and even a civil service. To function as a state Daesh has no choice but to put its head above ground, which means there are solid targets that our precision weaponry can hit, with marginal harm to innocent civilians.
However, I would like to say that airstrikes are by no means the end game. I hope that you will understand that no one among my colleagues actually want to take military action; it is the only means available to degrade Daesh’s capabilities. But more importantly, the Prime Minister has said that the Government has a comprehensive strategy to defeat Daesh across the region. This includes providing support to the Free Syrian Army on the ground, diplomatic support for a political solution, and economic and humanitarian funding to rebuild communities and the local economy. On top of this, it is my opinion that this wider strategy be not restricted to Syria and Iraq. There are Daesh and Al Qaeda affiliated groups across the Middle East and North Africa that would take up the leadership of their cause should Daesh fall in Syria. But it is important to note that these groups do not respond to diplomacy, education or economic development, which is why a military option is needed to run alongside these efforts in the meantime.
My vote yesterday was based on the difficult consideration of the reasons I have detailed above, but I must stress that this is not the end of my interest in the UK’s intervention in Syria and Iraq. I would like to see us contribute more to the diplomatic efforts, as well as economic and educational development, across the region that will lead to giving the local population the means to reject this poisonous ideology. Furthermore, I would like to see concerted effort made against state sponsorship of illegitimate groups that are party to the conflict. The instigation of a proxy war by using these extremist groups between regional actors has no place and is counterproductive to the overall peace effort. Of course, overarching much of this is the Vienna peace process that is been ongoing for some years now. It is crucial the UK continues to play a leading role in the discussions with all legitimate parties that will eventually take Syria forwards.
While many will have differing views, I hope this response goes some way to explaining the reason for the way I voted yesterday, while also sharing with you the areas I intend to seek further action aside from the military options we have approved.