Over the past week, I have received representations from a great many residents in Rugby and Bulkington concerning the vote today for intervention against ISIL/Daesh in Syria. Passionate arguments, both for confronting Daesh and for taking a different approach, based on a pursuing a political settlement, have been made. I have carefully considered both the representations from my constituents and the evidence put forth in Parliament by the Government ahead of tonight’s vote.
The recent horrific attacks in Paris, Baghdad and Lebanon, as well as the murder of 30 British citizens in Tunisia during the summer, underline the threat the global community faces from Daesh. In the last 12 months, our police and security services have disrupted no fewer than seven terrorist plots to attack the UK, every one of which was either linked to or inspired by Daesh. I am in no doubt that it is in our national interest for action to be taken to stop them.
I have also taken into consideration that action against Daesh would be legal, as UN Security Council resolution 2249 – passed unanimously – calls on us to take “all necessary measures” to prevent and suppress the terrorism that Daesh are committing. Britain can play a vital role in this and we cannot stand by and let our allies shoulder this burden alone.
I recognise that military action alone will not defeat Daesh. The Government is working with our international partners in the region and Britain is the second largest provider of aid to Syria. The Government will also provide at least a further £1 billion for post-conflict reconstruction to support a new Syrian Government. However, this can only take place once the threat from Daesh has been defeated.
The decision to use our armed forces is not one that I, or any of my colleagues from all sides of the House, take lightly. However, throughout our history, the United Kingdom has stood up against tyrants, bullies and barbaric regimes. We can, and we must, do so again and so I shall be voting for the Government motion today.