High Peak Liberal Democrats

Tomorrow MPs (Wednesday) will be debating whether the UK joins the USA and France in launching air strikes over Syria targeted at Daesh (otherwise known as IS).

The UK is already involved in air strikes over Iraq against Daesh and currently conducts reconnaissance missions over Syria, supplying intelligence used by other allied forces.

I am seeking your views on this controversial subject.

The supporters of joining military action have set out their reasons for wanting to take action as follows;

• 1. UN Security Council resolution 2249 provides authorisation for action against Daesh.
• 2. The Vienna talks are international in nature and include the main countries involved in Syria such as Iran and Russia. They could lead to a way forward in Syria, including the possibility of elections in a couple of years from now.
• 3. Work has been done on preparing for the reconstruction of Syria. This work is already being started in some areas not under the control of Assad or Daesh.
• 4. Raqqa is being used by Daesh as a base from which to plan terrorist attacks in Europe and cannot be allowed to develop further capacity to do us harm.
• 5. One of our closest allies, France, which is under attack from Daesh has asked for our help.

Some of the reasons opponents of taking action give for rejecting further UK involvement in Syria are as follows;

• 1. UK missiles will make no difference, apart from making us more vulnerable.
• 2. UK action will lead to more Syrian civilian deaths, when 100,000s have already been killed by Assad's barrel-bombs.
• 3. They are worried about the absence of an exit strategy for the UK military.
• 4. There are no credible forces on the ground that can retake territory from Daesh if they are pushed back.
• 5. The UK should only protect its own borders.

Please let me know what you think.

If you support UK involvement email Tom Brake with 'support' .

If you oppose, reply 'oppose'.

Thank you for taking part in one of the most important polls I have ever conducted.