MPs to decide if the UK should carry out airstrikes in Syria

David Cameron could order ISIS terrorists to be attacked within hours of the vote.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has warned there is a threat to Britain from ISIS and has rejected claims bombing Raqqa and other IS-held cities could lead to a large number of civilian casualties.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is opposed to the plans but has granted his MPs a free vote.

Many MPs are still undecided, pending meetings with Ministry of Defence officials.

Clacton MP Douglas Carswell said: “I understand the argument in favour of military action and I also understand the argument against military action. I’m still open minded.

“I have been invited to a meeting on Privy Council terms with officers from the National Security Council.

“I need to listen to what they have to say very carefully before making up my mind.”

Here are the views of politicians, a religious leader and a military expert in Colchester.

COLONEL Richard Kemp, former head of the international terrorism team in the cabinet office, lives in Colchester.

“The UK must join the international coalition attacking the Islamic State in Syria. Our current policy of striking them only in Iraq makes no sense when their main power base is across the border in Syria.

“Not only must we defend our own people from the these brutal jihadists, but also our allies and friends in the region. We are honour-bound to aid the French in their response to the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, and we have international obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. But air strikes alone are not the answer.

“History shows an enemy that holds ground cannot be defeated from the air.

“It is vital we launch a major ground offensive against the Islamic State, preferably led and spearheaded by forces from the region, with strong support by Western ground and air forces, including UK forces.

“We must also have a political plan to ensure the vacuum following the eradication of the Islamic State is not filled by equally barbarous jihadists. That will have to be arranged in conjunction with the Russians who now hold all the main cards in Syria.”

ROSALIND Scott, Labour councillor for Wivenhoe, said the party is not opposed to bombing, although now is not the time.

"Many people are concerned this is not the time for bombing. We are against so called IS and terrorism, but we feel bombing has not been successful in the past and won't be now, thousands of civilians could be killed without making the world any safer.

“The Wivenhoe Labour Party is unanimously opposed to bombing Syria. At an emergency meeting of the Wivenhoe party on Saturday, members were clear and emphatic the party’s conditions for supporting military action have not been met.

"The recent Labour Party conference agreed four conditions would have to be satisfied before military action could be supported.

“These Included clear and unambiguous authorisation from the United Nations, a comprehensive EU-wide plan to provide humanitarian assistance to the increase in the number of refugees, that bombing is exclusively directed at military targets directly associated with ISIS, and that any military action is subordinated to international diplomatic efforts, including the main regional powers, to end the Syrian civil war.

“Until there is a clear International Plan organised by the UN and agreed by the key Regional Players, we are opposed to military action."

BISHOP of Colchester Revered Roger Morris said too many innocent civilians would be harmed if the air strikes were to go ahead.

“I FEEL very uneasy about the proposed bombing of Syria. Even with modern technology, air attacks remain pretty indiscriminate and we would be signing up to the killing of many innocent civilians.

“Air attacks also tend to destroy houses, hospitals, schools and infrastructure that will cause more and more people to flee the country and seek refuge elsewhere. During the last 12 months the US have been bombing Syria, the number of Syrian refugees has nearly doubled from 2.7million to more than 4million.

“ISIS seems to revel in destruction and war. It is certainly the case that air strikes are likely to increase local support for jihadists and further confirm the view that the West are aggressive colonialists who are seeking to destroy Islam.

“Perhaps my main concern is we do not seem to have a coherent plan as to what would happen next. It is impossible to judge whether a bombing campaign will bring about the outcome we might want or whether it will hinder it.”

BARRY Gilheany, who has stood as a Labour candidate for Colchester.

“There is a compelling humanitarian reason for military action.

“ISIS is committing multiple crimes against humanity including ethnic cleansing of non-Sunni communities, mass sexual violence against women, destruction of the region's archaeological heritage and the use of its captive population as human shields.

“Of course air strikes alone will not suffice. There must be adequate ground forces to expel ISIS from their lair and a clear military command structure under preferably UN and Arab League auspices.

“Of course the Syrian situation is complex but a partial reason for the current situation has been the world's craven response to the serial atrocities, including most shamefully the vote in our Parliament against the punishment of the Assad regime for its criminal use of chemical weapons.

“I do not underestimate the possible loss of innocent human life in the airstrikes but that is the unfortunate reality of warfare, just or unjust.”

WILL Quince, Colchester MP, said a proper plan is needed as the situation is complex.

“ISIL is a barbaric death cult and the atrocities they have committed are sickening.

“I have strong sympathy with those who say we need to act militarily to stop ISIL.

“We all want to degrade them and put a stop to their disgusting actions and ideology once and for all.

“But we must ensure any British military action to defeat ISIL is considered as part of a proper plan. The current situation in Syria is incredibly complex – indeed, it is effectively a three way civil war.

“If British forces become involved in Syria, we must have a clear criteria for defeating ISIL and a strategy for after they have been militarily defeated.

“Representing a garrison town, I know just how much matters of war and peace affect our community. If we commit any forces to the Syrian conflict, it must be part of a proper strategy.

“The British public do not want to be drawn into another lengthy, open-ended conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

“I will consider military action carefully when it is put before Parliament.”

PRITI Patel, Witham MP and Minister for Employment, said there is a real threat to Britain and action needs to be taken.

“The risk to our security and safety posed by ISIL is real and serious. The terrorist atrocities in Paris last month are not a one-off. The terrorists who orchestrate these vile acts target civilians indiscriminately and have declared war on our ideals, civilisation, and way of life.

“So far this year our intelligence and security services have thwarted seven plots by terrorists. Islamist terrorists are threatening our country and the Government is working to do all it can to protect us and keep us safe.

“However, we cannot stand by and ignore the threat of ISIL in the territory they occupy in Iraq and Syria. To do so could put this country at risk and would be irresponsible.

“The Prime Minister has made a statement to the House of Commons on the role that military intervention in Syria can play in protecting us from future terrorist attacks.

“We all know that taking decisions to intervene through air strikes are never easy.

“But there is a strong, well-considered and compelling case for Britain to act to defend its values, protect this country, and play a leading role internationally to defeat ISIL.”

JAMES Cleverly, MP for Braintree, said: " The activities of IS in Syria and Iraq is, perhaps, one of the most distressing and disturbing that most of us have seen in our lives.

"The atrocities they are perpetrating in the region and around the world cannot be ignored, or wished away.

"We have a moral and pragmatic duty to stop these horrors.

"We are already working with a coalition of nations to attack IS forces in Iraq, these actions are pushing them back and helping to liberate people from their control.

"Other coalition countries are also targeting IS troops in Syria but the RAF are not, they are stopping at the border.

"This is a border which IS does not recognise and is now little more than an arbitrary line on a map.

"The time to engage IS wherever they are is now well overdue. We should stand shoulder to shoulder with France and our other allies in defeating this evil organisation and then would to bring long term stability to the region.

"When the question is put, I will vote to extend our military action and work to bring this horror to an end."