MK cannot support air strikes on Syria

The leadership team of Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall has today issued a statement setting out its opposition to British air strikes on Syria.

This follows the announcement that the Westminster Parliament will today be debating whether British forces take part in further air strikes against ISIL.

The statement is as follows:

“We unreservedly condemn the unforgivable attacks from ISIS, which are truly barbaric, but consider that air strikes are likely to prove to be counter-productive.

“Such attacks would inevitably lead to yet more civilian casualties and refugees, and do little to end the civil war in Syria. The air strikes could even lead to a further escalation of terrorism around the globe, make the UK a much less safe place and even more susceptible to attacks.

“It is telling that MPs on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee have also concluded that the Prime Minister has ‘not adequately addressed concerns’ raised by MPs in its recent report on the UK’s approach to Syria.

“We would fully support international efforts to tackle ISIS through other means, such as undermining their oil sales and reducing its financial strength, while restricting its access to arms.

“We also support a political solution to secure a peace deal for Syria and the wider area, which could then lead to wider plan for the reconstruction of the region.

“At the same time, we would appeal to the Prime Minister not to repeat the mistakes of past military interventions, such as in Afghanistan and Iraq.”