The area’s parliamentary representatives said they were in favour of extending military action to Syria ahead of last night’s vote in Westminster.
Dropping bombs on Syria will support “those people prepared to be brave enough to fight those barbaric people in ISIS and mean they will be reinforced in courage,” Sir Alan Haselhurst said yesterday.
The Saffron Walden constituency MP spoke as the debate in the House of Commons began on whether Britain should attack another Middle Eastern country – with whom we are not at war.
Sir Alan said: “I have obviously taken account of everything that has been said in the press and representations from my constituents but I am convinced that the position being taken by the Prime Minister is correct.”
He said a lot of constituents had contacted him via the on-line pressure group 38 Degrees (which has opposed the military action).
“That makes the messages identical. I obviously still take account of what they are saying but I reminded myself that 79,000 of my constituents had not thought it necessary to comment,” Sir Alan said.
He added that had we decided to bomb Syria two years ago, when Parliament voted against it, we might not be having to take action now. “Those prepared to be brave enough to fight these barbaric people may be getting reinforced in courage by western powers showing they are on their side. We are trying to degrade ISIS to make it easier for troops on the ground to make headway. These people are out to destroy us. That has been borne out by experience. Several atrocities have already been frustrated by our security forces.”
James Cleverley MP, who represents Braintree, said: “The time to engage, ISIL 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 work to bring long term stability to the region.
“When the question is put, I will vote to extend our military action to Syria and work to bring this horror to an end.”
The vote was due last night at 10pm after the Dunmow Broadcast went to press.
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