Matthew Pennycook MP.

Matthew Pennycook is another new Labour Party MP – elected to the Greenwich and Woolwich seat in May this year – who has decided to oppose David Cameron’s plan for air strikes in Syria.

His reasons, posted on the Internet yesterday (November 30) should be familiar by now: Air strikes will do no good alone, and the ground forces that are supposed to exist are David Cameron’s fantasy. He concludes:

The Prime Minister has gone to great efforts to convince Parliament that an extension of British airstrikes against Daesh in Syria is necessary and will achieve its stated objectives. His measured tone and the manner in which he has sought to build consensus around military action are appreciated.

However, on balance I believe that his case remains a weak one which, stripped of its wishful thinking, amounts to little more than a belief that military action is the litmus test of solidarity with our allies and our security.

As I write this, no formal proposal has been put to MPs following the Prime Minister’s statement last week. If new information comes to light or more compelling arguments are put before me I may be persuaded to think again but as things stand I intend to vote against the extension of airstrikes against Daesh in Syria.

Source: British airstrikes against Daesh in Syria

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