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 - "This new attack should prompt the government and all political parties to look afresh at the case for extending the air campaign".[6]
MPs leaning against airstrikes
Labour Party
The Labour leader is opposed to airstrikes in Syria, as are a minority in the Shadow Cabinet and many Labour MPs.
- Diane Abbott - Supported Corbyn in Shadow Cabinet - New Statesman.[1]
- Richard Burgon - 'I'm not persuaded'.[7]
- Ruth Cadbury - 'As a Quaker, this is a matter of conscience for me, and I will therefore not support military action in Syria.'[8]
- Jeremy Corbyn - 'In my view, the Prime Minister has been unable to explain the contribution of additional UK bombing'.[9]
- John Cryer - Supported Corbyn in Shadow Cabinet - New Statesman.[1]
- Paul Flynn - 'absurd policy that will increase terrorist recruits'.[10]
- Roger Godsiff - "What I'm not convinced of is dropping more bombs on Syria is going to add anything to the defeat of ISIS"[11]
- Nia Griffith - 'against Cameron's plan' - Guardian.[12]
- Fiona Mactaggart - 'agrees with [Corbyn] in opposing British intervention in Syria' - Independent.[13]
- John McDonnell - "I’m still in a situation where I’ve expressed the view that I’m opposed to the bombing campaign or engagement."[14]
- Gavin Shuker
- Dennis Skinner
- Wes Streeting
- Emily Thornberry
- Jon Trickett - Supported Corbyn in Shadow Cabinet - New Statesman.[1]
- David Winnick
SNP
The SNP are expected to vote against airstrikes.[1]
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are expected to vote against airstrikes.[1]
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."[15]
- 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 1.6 1.7 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.
- ↑ Allan Tunningley, HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the UK extend its air campaign to bomb ISIS targets in Syria?, Westmorland Gazette, 19 November 2015.
- ↑ The Prime Minister's Proposal to Bomb Syria, Youtube, 27 November 2015.
- ↑ Ruth Cadbury MP, Twitter, 23 November 2015.
- ↑ Full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s letter to Labour MPs about airstrikes on Syria, Labourlist, 26 November 2015.
- ↑ Paul Flynn MP, Twitter, 26 November 2015.
- ↑ The World at One, Twitter, 26 November 2015.
- ↑ Rowena Mason & Daniel Boffey, Tom Watson backs airstrikes against Isis, joining opposition to Corbyn, The Guardian, 27 November 2015.
- ↑ Matt Dathan, Jeremy Corbyn should resign over 'unacceptable' behaviour towards Syria air strikes vote, say senior Labour MPs, Independent, 28 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.
