Should we bomb De-ash/ISIS in Syria?

If he had not allowed a free vote, that would have been hypocritical of him, because he wanted free votes for himself and others in the past.

The cases for bombing or not bombing have both been overstated. Neither decision will make us safer. We are already targets and must look to our intelligence services for protection.
This situation is nothing like Iraq which was a functioning state run by a brutal dictator. I was very much against starting a war in Iraq.
Syria is a failed state and the area proposed to extend the bombing is in the hands of Isis. The civilians there are in a terrible situation. The UK weapons are much more targeted so that hopefully will cause less "collateral damage". The free Syrian army is disorganised and many are brutalised by the war so I think it is foolish to rely on them to fight against Isis as they will be concentrating on fighting Assad.
After much thought I will support the bombing for two reasons
1) More accurate weapons to reduce collateral damage and be more effective at stopping the oil sales funding Isis.
2) We will have much more say with France, US and Russia in the aftermath when troops on the ground will be essential to form an interim government. The British army has excellent skills for setting up safe areas and no fly zones
The civilians in Syria are suffering a tragedy of epic proportions. We cannot turn our backs on the situation.

I agree Luckygirl, no way is Corbyn a hypocrite , suppose this country isn't use to honest politicians . A man who has gone against his party's whip several times on matters of wars is called a hypocrite for not imposing the whip on wars now. A man of honour

According to the Guardian today, Corby had little choice but to allow a free vote as senior members of his cabinet threatened to resign if he didn't.

What a bunch!

What is frustrating is that 75 per cent of labour party members do not want to bomb Syria.

How on earth do we persuade S.A for a start not to supply IS with oil?!! Appeal to them in the hopes that they'll see the error of their ways?! Lecture them like missionaries? My DH just laughed when I told him of this particular suggestion! What people in the West cannot seem to understand is that people of other cultures think entirely differently to us. We simply cannot tell them what they can and cannot do for our version of morality, they just don't see it that way. Their attitude to human life is very different to ours, which, let's face it, is pretty obvious!! We can't go into other people's countries demanding that they change their ways because we tell them to!!! If we can make it worth their while, something they want, then maybe, but not by wagging a disapproving finger at them, we'll get told to p.... off in no uncertain terms. I doubt the gulf states care whether Isil is there or not so long as they don't threaten them! We need to neutralise Isil to protect Europe, nothing to do with imposing democracy in countries that frankly don't want it.

Quite a few members of his shadow cabinet threatened to resign, the Blairites

I am glad JC has not been a hypocrite. Also glad that he allowed a free vote.

I'm increasingly bored with the simplistic left v right comments that seem to dominate political threads. I'm a Labour voter but some comments remind me of the old Lancashire saying "you could put a pit pony up for election there, it'd win as long as it were t' labour candidate"

I didn't vote for Jeremy but he had a huge majority and I have always agreed with many of his views. I'm not a pacifist and if we have to get further involved, agree with those who argue bombing won't be any good, we'd need troops on the ground.

I don't believe the case has yet been made for the UK to join a bombing campaign, especially as there doesn't seem to be a coherent agreed plan for the region IF Isil can be defeated. I won't rehearse previous arguments about who is a good opposition fighter, what the Turks/Saudi's/Russians/other Arab states are doing or not doing. I wish our government would though. If Cameron came up with a coherent plan for the short, medium and longer term that involved more than simply bombing the hell out of areas where there will be innocent children, I'd ask my MP to support it. I've just had an email from my MP, he'll vote against bombing I'm relieved to learn.

Just a comment to balance my criticism of the left. How on earth can the right blame JC if the vote is to bomb? Nonsense. He's, rightly, given the party the right to vote for what they/their constituents believe is right.

Petallus take heart - only about 2% of the population are members of any political party so that's 75% of 2% which is hardly anyone!

And as for making martyrs of these people, that's positively ridiculous. The guys at the top of IS don't strap bombs to themselves and blow themselves to bits. NO they convince stupid, vulnerable young men and women that they will become martyrs and earn a place for themselves in their idea of heaven. Manipulating b*****ds that they are.

No one has actually said the right is blaming JC (apart from ab).

I pointed out that the front pages of most of today's newspapers give the impression that because JC didn't stick to his guns and disallow a free vote, the bombing campaign is more likely to go ahead.

Niggly Syria and Iraq have oilfields several of which are in the hands of IS and is a nice little earner for paying terrorists. They don't need to get oil from the Saudis.

Seems the media believes allowing a MP to vote according to conscience is caving in . To be fair the media hasn't a conscience so can't be expected to understand what it means

Where has this myth come from that the other Arab states don't care what IS does and are doing nothing to keep them in check?

In September 2014 leaders of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the Gulf Cooperation Council - an alliance of the Sunni Arab Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – pledged to “stand united” against “the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.”

In a document known as the Jeddah Communique, issued after intense diplomacy from US secretary of state John Kerry in the Saudi city, the signatories agreed to staunch Isis funding and influx of foreign fighters, critical priorities for Washington. They expressed openness to contributing directly to the war effort, saying they would be “as appropriate, joining in the many aspects of a coordinated military campaign” against Isis.

Anya thanks for the words of comfort.

I am not surprised that you are content to dismiss the views of 75 per cent of Labour Party members but don't expect Labour MPs to do so!

Well said, WhiteWave and Anniebach - first page posts. I have only just logged in. I though there might be some traffic regarding this. Thanks for link JessM. Have sent a NO to local conservative MP who heads this postcode constituency. To all you supporters of hellfire and brimstone - look at the history of the country where the King James Bible states that the "tribes from the north will always be at war with the tribes of the south". Actually, it was in more specific detail than that but I can't find my bible. 100 years ago Britain took this area from the Ottomans. France joined in for the great divide of the country...... and another post coming up same subject separate country...

....'Middle East alliances are so complex, supposed allies such as Saudi could well be funding ISIS and Turkey's ongoing hatred of the Kurds should make us question whether they would be suitable to join the EU..'
Terribull speaks common sense. I totally agree with her.
We must look long and hard at our alliance with Saudi Arabia ....and please remember that you can't bomb an idea.

To all those who say that western intervention in the middle East will put a stop to the traditional and hereditary cruelty; ie, beheadings, beating, raping of men, women, children. Does this mean that we should go and drop bombs in Somalia or Mali?

... and don't forget. The middle East has only had a history since the Wahabi seven made it so in 1936-ish when black gold wasn't just a pint of paddy.

Bomb all countries which carry out beheadings, but not Saudi Arabia or China because the former are our friends and the latter is a country our government wants to do business with .

Just read your post, Anya. America gives the Jordanians £1billion each year. Iraq gives them £15billion. Not sure what the UK gives them or the other countries, but going from a dirt poor monarchy from the days of King Hussein, the current Queen now orders specially made shoes in gold thread from Pakistan (or was it India) costing approx £50k. And that is just one pair. And the Jords are still asking for more foreign aid.

Well said NigglyNellie

JC has displayed weakness. Doesn't make him a hypocrite though.

Really?! (about the shoes [shock)