John Baron MP secures Urgent Question on IS strategy

MP questions FCO Minister

This morning John Baron MP secured an Urgent Question on the Government’s strategy against Islamic State (IS). The Minister for Europe, Rt Hon David Lidington MP, responded for the Government. This follows discrepancies between the Foreign Secretary and Number 10 regarding Government strategy on IS in the wake of President Obama’s address yesterday.

In the Chamber, John said,

“Many Colleagues welcome Government assurances that there will be no military intervention without Parliament’s approval. There are many questions to be asked about air strikes in Iraq, and in Syria. The Government’s cautious approach so far has been correct, but President Obama’s recent address appeared to go well beyond the Government’s position. It talked of air strikes in Syria and supporting some Syrian rebels.”

“We now need clarity as to Government strategy. There appears a discrepancy between the Foreign Secretary and Number 10 as to whether the UK will be supporting air strikes in Syria. Furthermore, the possible US policy of arming some Syrian rebels contravenes resolutions made by Parliament last year.”

“Parliament is right to ask questions given our misguided interventions in recent years. We must not allow events to get ahead of us, and then to be presented with a fait accompli.”

The Minister replied that strategy was still developing, in concert with the United States and other allies.