Shropshire MPs open to Islamic State air strikes plan

Defence chief Michael Fallon seemed to be paving the way towards military action in a speech in Parliament yesterday. But he said no action would be taken without a Commons vote and a "consensus" among MPs.

The UK does not need the backing of MPs to launch raids but Mr Fallon has said they would have the final say.

It comes after 38 tourists were killed on a beach in Sousse, Tunisia, last week, with 30 of them confirmed as British. Student Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, said to have had links to IS, was shot dead by police after carrying out the attack.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski said: "Constituents were very adamant they did not want the UK to become involved in a war in Syria when there was a vote in the last parliament.

"People were very concerned about the UK getting involved in another war in the Middle East – but the rapid rise of ISIS throughout the Middle East and North Africa is of such magnitude and pace that I really worry what will happen if it is left unchecked.

"Clearly this is something Parliament will have to debate. If the Government decides to introduce a motion for bombing in Syria it is something the House of Commons would have to decide on.

"What we have seen recently on our TV screens or in newspapers, whether it is putting people in cages and lowering them to be drowned in water, whether it is trapping them in cars and firing missiles at the car, whether it is putting explosives around their necks and blowing them up, this is barbarism of a kind we have not seen since the Second World War.

"This is spreading and if it goes unchecked I think the long-term consequences for European security would be of a profound nature.

"I think MPs' views are hardening, reflecting the views of the public towards this issue. I think the targeting of British holidaymakers, who were senselessly slaughtered on beaches in Tunisia, just brings it home."

Lucy Allan, MP for Telford, said: "It is an option that needs to be fully explored in the context of the current climate. Air strikes on Syria should not be ruled out."

And Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard added: "Military action needs to be thought through very carefully indeed. However, British nationals can never be killed with impunity and without significant reprisals for doing so. Britain must stand firm and show complete resolve."

Labour has indicated it would not block military action in Syria as it did in 2013.

The party's acting leader Harriet Harman said Islamic State had to be "stopped" and Labour would look "very seriously" at any proposals brought forward by the government.

Mr Fallon tod MPs a "full spectrum response" was needed to deal with IS at its source. He said: "We will not bring a motion to this house on which there is not some consensus."