Does anyone remember the humdinger of an email I sent to my MP regarding the war and every other empty promise n welfare cut theyve pushed onto us since last week - in it I specifically asked for justification of the cost when our own citizens are being sanctioned and live off foodbanks and suggested if Ed Milliband needed ten years to fix the UK that sure they could add on a second ten yrs of austerity cuts plus I suggested them trying to decrease their wages to minimum wage etc - basically I didnt miss her and hit the wall - well needless to say Im disgusted by her personal response as its no different to her e-briefing that she sends out weekly to all her constituents and gave no mention of cost or austerity pensioners fuel allowance child been it etc etc etc Here is her bog standard briefing which she then tried to pass off as her personal response!!! Thank you for contacting me regarding the decision of the House of Commons to approve air strikes by UK armed forces against ISIL in Iraq. I am very well aware of the heavy responsibility placed on Members of Parliament when deciding whether to commit UK armed forces into combat. Ahead of the vote, I sought information from a number of sources, including colleagues who have recently been in Iraq, and read information provided by humanitarian organisations and faith groups. I listened very carefully to the debate in the House of Commons on Friday. In his contribution, Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband set out criteria by which I and Labour colleagues assessed the UK Government’s case for action. Firstly – that there is a just cause for action on both humanitarian grounds and on the grounds of national interest, as the instability caused by the overthrow of the democratic state of Iraq means it could become a haven and training ground for terrorism directed at the UK. Secondly – that military action in this case is a last resort as ISIL have shown that they are not an organisation that could or should be negotiated with. Thirdly - that the UK is responding to the request of the democratic state of Iraq, so there is a clear legal base for action, providing legitimacy and legal force to our actions. Fourthly - that the aims of the mission are clear: international military air power is supporting the Iraqi army and the Kurdish Peshmerga in their ground campaign against ISIL, and the use of air power is accompanied by training and resources to support their efforts. Fifthly – that there is broad support for action, with all 28 EU member states, the Arab League, and a regional coalition of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and Qatar supporting the action. Additionally, that the action is proportionate with the UK committing six Tornado aircraft and continued surveillance, targeting ISIL military capacity in Iraq. Having listened to that debate, we concluded that the tests- of just cause, last resort, legal base, reasonable prospects, regional support, proportionality – were met. I am not someone who is generally inclined to use of military action – far from it. I also understand that there is deep unease, about further military action by the UK in Iraq given previous history. However, this is a totally different situation which has to be considered in the light of current circumstances and the continuing threats and barbaric actions by the so called Islamic State. There is no question that a war has been ongoing for some considerable time in both Iraq and Syria with Islamic State now controlling an area the size of Great Britain including Mosul, Iraqs third largest city. I am also deeply concerned about the plight of Sunni, Shia, Kurdish, Christian, and Yezedi Iraqis. During his speech Ed Miliband referred to reports of what is happening on the ground, with killings and abductions, and people fleeing from their homes. Many in the debate argued that the true parallel is with Kosovo and Sierra Leone and the prevention of genocide. The action being taken is specific, has broad international support and is about supporting a democratic state. It is being taken as part of a wider strategy to promote political stability in the region by the countries of that region and containing the spread of a perversion of Islam throughout the world which is deplored by the vast majority of Muslim opinion. The Labour Party opposed UK involvement in Syria at this time and any further pre-emptive action must be brought back to Parliament for a further vote. I appreciate that you may continue to have concerns or to disagree with the stance taken. However I hope that you will understand that this was not a decision taken lightly, or without considerable thought for the consequences of inaction for innocent civilians. Best wishes Cathy Jamieson MP ©2014 Cathy Jamieson MP | 32 Grange Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 2DD, 01563 522361, cathyjamieson Web Version Forward Unsubscribe Powered by Mad Mimi ®
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:58:09 +0000
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