UPDATED: The Island’s MP Andrew Turner has said that he is not yet convinced by the arguments made in favour of Britain taking part in air strikes on Syria.
Mr Turner spoke in the Commons on Monday during a debate on the situation in the Middle East to set out his concerns.
Speaking yesterday, Andrew said that as things stand he will not be voting in favour of the motion which is due to come before the Commons today (Wednesday).
“The first duty of Government is to protect its citizens, but taking us into war is the most difficult decision for any Government. And the most difficult decision for MPs, who must consider very carefully whether they support that decision. I am not yet convinced.
“It is widely accepted that this fight cannot be won from the air, boots will be needed on the ground – and the Prime Minister has ruled out those being British. The plan relies on 70,000 so called ‘moderates’ in Syria; but they are fragmented forces, many fighting each other, and some hate President Assad more than they hate ISIL. It seems to me that to make progress credible forces must move quickly into place to back up airstrikes. I have seen no evidence that will happen, and a vacuum could be created leading to even more chaos.
“It is also a concern that not all nations ‘on our side’ are committed to the same military tactics. Russia opposes ISIL but supports Assad and that has led to airstrikes on the very people, the 70,000 fighters, we are relying on to unite and overthrow ISIL. We need a coherent strategy shared by all involved in the fight against ISIL
“As things stand I do not see that I can vote in favour of involving Britain in further military action in the Middle East, although I am still listening to the Prime Minister and colleagues with a wide range of experience and views. I also welcome hearing the views of Islanders. We must learn the lessons from Iraq, from Afghanistan and from Libya. It is a very difficult decision, because I believe we should stand by our traditional allies, and we must a find a way to deal with the undoubted threats that ISIL poses. There is no right, easy or clear-cut conclusion, but at the moment I feel that opposing airstrikes is the ‘least worst option’.”
UPDATE THURSDAY: Last night Andrew Turner abstained from the vote. This morning, Mr Turner released the following statement:
“Last night I voted in favour of an amendment put forward by John Baron MP that called for us to defer air strikes in Syria. That amendment was defeated, but I supported it because I believe that greater clarity is needed about the wider strategy needed to deal effectively with Daesh and the terrorist jihadists. I have always suspected that once there is greater unity with foreign allies, in particular the position of the Russians, and clarity about the ‘boots on the ground’, air strikes may well be a part of what is needed to win this war. I set out my concerns about these two issues in my speech on Monday. I know also that many Islanders share my doubts and I am grateful to them for taking the trouble to contact me.
“On the final vote, along with a number of colleagues with similar concerns, I abstained, that is neither voted in favour or against. That is because I am not against air strikes per se, but I could not actively support them unless they formed part of a strategic plan.. I believe we need to take action to address Daesh and I know that colleagues of all parties thought very carefully before they voted last night, I certainly did.
“As I said earlier this week, there are no easy answers; this is not a black and white, clear cut issue – just choosing the least worst of a number of unpalatable options.
“I believe in democracy, which, as Hilary Benn MP, the Shadow Foreign Secretary said last night in a brilliant speech, the Islamic terrorists despise and hate us for. However, as John McDonnell MP the Shadow Chancellor said this morning, the best speeches do not necessarily prove to be right in the long term. Only time will show the wisdom of the decision taken last night.
“Now that the question is settled and the airstrikes have begun we must hope that innocent civilian lives are not lost. We should also all support the armed forces who daily face our enemies on our behalf, and pray that these tactics prove successful, whatever our reservations may be.”
