The Mirror 2 December 2015
Often we approach the next conflict in the shadow of the last one. Labour crucify themselves on the altar of guilt over Iraq and right wing Tories conjure up its ghosts to add to their agenda of isolationism. The public reeling from the deceits of that war, are in sceptical mood – and properly so.
But this is not another Iraq. Then we had no UN resolution. Today we have one which places a duty on us to act, not stand idly by. Then we lacked an international coalition. Today one is being assembled in Vienna including our European neighbours, Russia, and all Syria’s Arab neighbours. Then we had to accept Mr Blair’s word on the weapons which threatened us. Today we have seen them on our streets and the sands of our holiday resorts.
If we will not act now, then when?
Three years ago the Commons refused to punish Assad for his use of chemical weapons. I feared then that the men of evil would be encouraged to do worse. They have. I worried that Britain was moving towards isolationism. We are.
Seventy years ago we did more than any other nation to give France back her liberty. Now we seem reluctant even to support her in her pain.
Then Britain was not afraid to stand alone. Now some want to stand aside, while others do our fighting for us
Britain has always engaged in Europe. Now our mood is to leave it. Since when have our interets been advanced by sheltering behind our island walls, shouting insults at foreigners?
The last Government led the world in tackling climate challenge. This Government retreats into climate selfishness and leaves the leadership to others.
Britain has always welcomed the desperate and the threatened. Now Germany’s Angela Merkel rises to the challenge of 800,00 refugees, while we shrink in horror from 3,000 knocking on the Channel Tunnel doors. It comes to something when the Britain of Winston Churchill, has to be taught a lesson in humanity and leadership by a German Chancellor.
On the face of it tomorrows Commons vote is about whether to extend our fight against ISIL in Iraq, over the border into Syria. But it is also about something else. Whether we will return to Britain’s great tradition of engagement, or retreat further into an isolationism which diminishes our role, our standing and our security in a dangerous world.
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