Difference between revisions of "MPs on Syria airstrikes, November-December 2015"

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(Conservative Party)
(Labour Party)
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===Labour Party===
 
===Labour Party===
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Most of the shadow cabinet are said to support airstrikes despite the opposition of the Labour leader.
 
*[[Heidi Alexander]]  - 'argued for intervention' - ''New Statesman''.<ref name="EatonSC">George Eaton, [http://www.newstatesman.com/2015/11/majority-shadow-cabinet-back-air-strikes-syria-labour-position-undecided Majority of shadow cabinet back air strikes in Syria but Labour position undecided], ''New Statesman'', 26 November 2015.</ref>
 
*[[Heidi Alexander]]  - 'argued for intervention' - ''New Statesman''.<ref name="EatonSC">George Eaton, [http://www.newstatesman.com/2015/11/majority-shadow-cabinet-back-air-strikes-syria-labour-position-undecided Majority of shadow cabinet back air strikes in Syria but Labour position undecided], ''New Statesman'', 26 November 2015.</ref>
 
*[[Hilary Benn]] - 'leaning in favour of military action'  - ''Guardian''.<ref name="RM">Rowena Mason, [http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/jeremy-corbyn-labour-bombing-syria-isis-airstrikes Jeremy Corbyn seeks grassroots Labour support for stance against bombing Syria], ''Guardian'', 27 November 2015.</ref>
 
*[[Hilary Benn]] - 'leaning in favour of military action'  - ''Guardian''.<ref name="RM">Rowena Mason, [http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/jeremy-corbyn-labour-bombing-syria-isis-airstrikes Jeremy Corbyn seeks grassroots Labour support for stance against bombing Syria], ''Guardian'', 27 November 2015.</ref>

Revision as of 13:46, 28 November 2015

This is a very rough and ready attempt to look at what public evidence exists as to the balance of opinion in Parliament on the Government's proposal for airstrikes against ISIS in Syria, ahead of a likely vote in November 2014. It is mostly based on public statements, although it also uses some unattributed reports, such as those of shadow cabinet meetings. Given the considered statements coming from MPs, its sometimes a fine judgement whether or not MPs are leaning one way of the other, and many are likely to take no position until a vote. The relevant evidence used for each MP is included in references below.

MPs leaning towards airstrikes

Conservative Party

Most of the Conservative party are expected to support the Prime Minister's call for airstrikes.

Labour Party

Most of the shadow cabinet are said to support airstrikes despite the opposition of the Labour leader.

  • Heidi Alexander - 'argued for intervention' - New Statesman.[1]
  • Hilary Benn - 'leaning in favour of military action' - Guardian.[2]
  • Vernon Coaker - 'argued for intervention' - New Statesman.[1]
  • Michael Dugher - 'spoke up on Thursday in support of military action' - Guardian.[2]
  • Angela Eagle - 'argued for intervention' - New Statesman.[1]
  • Caroline Flint - ' told the Sunday Politics she believes there can be a case for British military intervention in Syria' - BBC.[3]
  • Mike Gapes - 'said he is prepared to rebel against the party leadership over UK air strikes in Syria' BBC.[4]
  • Liz Kendall 'I would support it' given commitments on reconstruction etc.[5]
  • Lucy Powell - 'spoke up on Thursday in support of military action' - Guardian.[2]
  • Tom Watson - 'leaning in favour of military action' - Guardian.[2]
  • John Woodcock

MPs leaning against airstrikes

Labour Party

MPs said to be undecided

Other comments from MPs

Labour Party

  • Graham Allen - It's not explicit but this article looks leaning against to me.

Notes