Public 'could back action against Isis', says Shrewsbury MP

Daniel Kawczynski said he believed the exposure of Isis's brutal methods could lead the British people to support David Cameron's call for military strikes on the group.

Mr Cameron was defeated in Parliament in a bid to launch military strikes against Syria's ruling regime in 2013.

But Mr Kawczynski said he believed the public mood had now shifted.

Mr Kawczynski, who also sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, has said that even if the public and parliament back military action against Isis , its success will depend on building a coalition of NATO and Arab countries.

He said: "Mr Cameron understands that he cannot pursue a war against Isis in Syria without the backing of parliament and it is right, if he thinks it is necessary, that he comes to parliament to present and explain as to why he feels British forces should be engaged.

"Obviously the situation is very different now. Two years ago we were asked to support bombing Assad's forces, now we are potentially going to be asked about bombing Isis , which is an even worse and more brutal regime.

"We have seen some of the photos recently of the terrible brutality they have carried out in the region."

Mr Kawczynski, who has also stressed the importance of tackling Isis in Libya, said he expects Parliament to vote for military strikes against Isis in Syria.

He said: "I think the mood of people is different to what it was two years ago. I experienced a lot of hostility in Shrewsbury two years ago at the prospect of going to war with Assad. People were not prepared for it and did not want it.

"I went to see David Cameron at the time and told him it would be very difficult to get through. Now the situation is different. Constituents have spoken to me and we have all seen the appalling images of people being put in cages and lowered into water, of people with explosives tied to their necks, thrown off buildings.

"I think the mood is changing and if the Prime Minister came to the House of Commons and tried to ask for for British military involvement I rather suspect he would get it this time because our constituents understand the massive threat this group poses to Europe if they go unchecked."

However, Mr Kawczynski said the success of any bid to tackle Isis is reliant on a strong coalition involving Arab states. He said: "I think the days of Western Powers unilaterally going into, and dealing with, these problems are starting to pass. We need to do it in a different way. We need to work with more allies in the region. Major Arab countries need to take a major role in tackling Isis.

"The West ought to be helping them with tactical and logistical support and where needed our own pilots taking part. But we must ask the Prime Minister, by all means we should be helping, but what coalition building is being undertaken in the Middle East to make sure Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and others come up to the plate and take their share of responsibility."

Mr Kawczynski said it would have to be a "partnership", and cited the example of the first Gulf war where Arab states provided thousands of troops to help force Saddam Hussein's army out of Kuwait.