Fingers in Ears
I listened to the debate in the House of Commons yesterday on extending military action against the fascist thugs of the Islamist State by targeting its safe havens in Syria.
Now whatever else you could say this was a very serious and thoughtful debate with members of all parties making valid points, from both sides of the argument.
In particular, the Prime Minister laid out a clear, coherent case for further action to prevent 'jihadi' terrorists from securing a firm base in Syria and Iraq from which to build a war against their neighbours and 'live and let live' values of the west.
In response to House of Commons debate and a subsequent discussion within the Labour's shadow cabinet, Jeremy Corbyn released the following letter reflecting his own personal views which have remained fixed and unchanged over the past thirty years.
I'm sure the letter was written long before MPs even held their debate and the contents show no sign of reflecting on anything that was said.
No wonder the Labour leadership is in such trouble.
Dear Colleague,
The Prime Minister made a Statement to the House today making the case for a UK bombing campaign against ISIS in Syria. A copy of my response has already been circulated.
We have all been horrified by the despicable attacks in Paris and are determined to see the defeat of ISIS.
Our first priority must be the security of Britain and the safety of the British people. The issue now is whether what the Prime Minister is proposing strengthens, or undermines, our national security.
I do not believe that the Prime Minister today made a convincing case that extending UK bombing to Syria would meet that crucial test. Nor did it satisfactorily answer the questions raised by us and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
In particular, the Prime Minister did not set out a coherent strategy, coordinated through the United Nations, for the defeat of ISIS. Nor has he been able to explain what credible and acceptable ground forces could retake and hold territory freed from ISIS control by an intensified air campaign.
In my view, the Prime Minister has been unable to explain the contribution of additional UK bombing to a comprehensive negotiated political settlement of the Syrian civil war, or its likely impact on the threat of terrorist attacks in the UK.
For these and other reasons, I do not believe the Prime Minister’s current proposal for air strikes in Syria will protect our security and therefore cannot support it.
The Shadow Cabinet met today for an initial discussion and debated the issues extensively. We will meet again on Monday, when we will attempt to reach a common view.
I will get in touch again when we know the timing of the debate and vote.
Yours
Jeremy Corbyn,
Leader of the Labour Party
