Hansard

I congratulate John Wilson on securing time in Parliament for this important debate. I entirely agree with his remarks about Islamophobia and the need to put a stop to it.

I take part in this debate with a very heavy heart, as it is yet another sign of the current instability of our world, which is filled with conflict and atrocities. Every wasted life is a tragedy—there is no doubt about that. In all conflicts that we take part in, we should continue to do all that we can to minimise civilian casualties. I have the highest confidence that our servicemen and women are doing all that they can to ensure that outcome.

The recent vote in the House of Commons on the UK’s stepping up its involvement in Syria was important for a number of reasons. First, we have sent a clear and unequivocal message of support to our brothers and sisters in France that shows that Britain is a partner that can be relied on, regardless of circumstance. We must do all that we can to ensure that the nightmare of Paris is not repeated in Paris or anywhere else.

Secondly, Islamic State, or Daesh, has proven yet again that its striking capabilities are good. It is not a petty gang of thugs in a faraway land; it is an organisation that is well versed in spreading terror and death wherever it goes. If we fail to stop it, we will not only fail to keep the people of Britain safe; we will fail the people of the region who must suffer the heavy hand of Daesh. Homosexuals are thrown off rooftops, invaluable cultural treasures are destroyed, and people are burned alive and beheaded for their beliefs. Daesh does not want to negotiate, and finding a diplomatic solution with it is very probably not possible. That is very regrettable.

It is not common to hear a Conservative quoting directly a Labour shadow foreign secretary out of agreement, but I shall do my best to do justice to Hilary Benn’s excellent speech in support of our intervention. His analysis of our enemy was very poignant. He said:

“We are faced by fascists—not just their calculated brutality, but their belief that they are superior to every single one of us in this Chamber tonight and all the people we represent. They hold us in contempt. They hold our values in contempt. They hold our belief in tolerance and decency in contempt.”—[Official Report, House of Commons, 2 December 2015; Vol 603, c 486.]

He is right; Daesh despises all that we stand for. However, that in itself does not warrant air strikes. They seek—not today or tomorrow, but as soon as they can—to destroy all that we hold dear.

The UK has already been fighting Daesh in Iraq, and we have, alongside our many allies, managed to weaken its foothold in Iraq. Before last week’s vote, however, Daesh fighters could just cross the fictional border between Iraq and Syria to seek cover. That safe haven no longer exists for them.

Britain was asked by the world community to act. We have heeded the call for aid. Britain again stands shoulder to shoulder with its allies, fellow champions of freedom, against a common enemy. We now have to ensure that our air strikes are conducted in a manner that is as efficient as possible, using strategies developed to minimise civilian casualties.

Getting adequate intelligence from the ground, allowing for precision, pin-pointed strikes, is absolutely essential. With a comprehensive strategy, and with the strong backing of the UN, both of which we currently have, we stand a good chance of defeating those evil forces that seek to destroy us, embodied by Daesh.