MPs on Syria airstrikes, November-December 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.
Contents
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
- Diane Abbott - Supported Corbyn in Shadow Cabinet - New Statesman.[1]
- Richard Burgon
- Ruth Cadbury
- Jeremy Corbyn
- John Cryer - Supported Corbyn in Shadow Cabinet - New Statesman.[1]
- Paul Flynn
- Roger Godsiff - "What I'm not convinced of is dropping more bombs on Syria is going to add anything to the defeat of ISIS"
- Nia Griffith
- Fiona Mactaggart
- John McDonnell - "I’m still in a situation where I’ve expressed the view that I’m opposed to the bombing campaign or engagement."[6]
- Gavin Shuker
- Dennis Skinner
- Wes Streeting
- Emily Thornberry
- Jon Trickett - Supported Corbyn in Shadow Cabinet - New Statesman.[1]
- David Winnick
MPs said to be undecided
- Chris Bryant
- Richard Burden - "hope the above along with the links I have included gives you an idea of the considerations that will be in the forefront of my mind as I decide how to cast my vote."[7]
- Andy Burnham - 'understood to be undecided about how to vote' - Guardian.[2]
- Dawn Butler
- Sarah Champion
- Yvette Cooper - 'understood to be undecided about how to vote' - Guardian.[2]
- Kate Green
- Liz McInnes
Other comments from MPs
Labour Party
- Graham Allen - It's not explicit but this article looks leaning against to me.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 George Eaton, Majority of shadow cabinet back air strikes in Syria but Labour position undecided, New Statesman, 26 November 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Rowena Mason, Jeremy Corbyn seeks grassroots Labour support for stance against bombing Syria, Guardian, 27 November 2015.
- ↑ Caroline Flint: We should look at military action, BBC, 22 November 2015.
- ↑ Labour MP Gapes says he will rebel on Syria vote, BBC, 19 November 2015.
- ↑ Labour's @leicesterliz is asked whether she will back Syria air strikes in a Commons vote, BBC This Week, Twitter, 20 November 2015.
- ↑ George Eaton, John McDonnell interview: “We’re going to destroy Osborne’s credibility”, New Statesman, 24 November 2015.
- ↑ Richard Burden, UK MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA – THE ISSUES, richardburden.com, 26 November 2015.
