Leeds MP Andrea Jenkyns: Difficult decisions are a part of politics

One of the most difficult decisions we are asked to make as an Member of Parliament is whether to support the decision to send our fantastic armed forces into harm's way.
devastation: A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Centre which was attacked by US, British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack.devastation: A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Centre which was attacked by US, British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack.
devastation: A Syrian soldier films the damage of the Syrian Scientific Research Centre which was attacked by US, British and French military strikes to punish President Bashar Assad for a suspected chemical attack.

This should never be done lightly and without a full appreciation of potential consequences.

In this instance, I am fully behind the Prime Minister and our Government in the decision to join our NATO allies US and France in the proportionate action over the weekend aimed to destroy Assad’s chemical weapon facilities and stockpiles

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The use of chemical weapons is illegal under international law if this is to have any meaning countries must be prepared to stand up and protect civilians from these wicked weapons.

I was truly horrified when I saw young children gasping for breath and being treated after the effects of a chemical attack.

As a mother myself with a young child, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and fear their parents and families must be going through having to live with this threat daily.

Chemical attacks in our nation, as we recently saw in Salisbury, are unacceptable as is their use in Syria or any other country.

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But to use them against your own citizens, innocent men, women and children are abhorrent and evil.

The incident in Douma last week was not the first time that such weapons had been used by the Assad regime in Syria.

As discussed at the UN Security Council meeting last week, it is suspected that chemical weapons have now been used 50 times by the Syrian military, with some public estimates putting this number as high as 200.

The international community has a moral responsibility to demonstrate that these actions will not be tolerated by individuals or states that use these ghastly weapons.

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The Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn’s response to the actions over the weekend was flawed. To compare our strategic strikes with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is a false comparison and shows a clear misunderstanding of the situation and our response.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council Russia has vetoed six United Nations resolutions related to Syria and chemical weapons, therefore we had no other option but to strike at Assad’s chemical weapon facilities.

Labour’s answer to these atrocities is to continue doing nothing.

We all wish that Assad didn’t have or use weapons, but the realpolitik of the situation is that he has and does.

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We have shown the Assad regime that the use of chemical weapons will not be permitted and that you can’t act with impunity when murdering civilians.

The Prime Minister was right in acting swiftly with our allies without a parliamentary vote and she did so lawfully.

Leaders must have the ability to act immediately and with an element surprise which allows them to minimise the risks that we ask from our brave armed forces.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again praise the professionalism and courage of our magnificent servicemen and women who keep us safe and who can be proud of their actions defending the lives of the innocent in Syria.