MP's open letter on Iraqi action
The strath’s Liberal Democrat MP has written an open letter explaining his support for the Government’s action against Isil.
On Friday (September 26) Danny Alexander wrote:
Sir - Today the government is proposing to the House of Commons that the UK should join the wide international coalition that has responded to the request of the Iraqi government to support them in taking action against the barbaric terrorist group Isil.
I am one of the ministers whose name is on the motion that is being debated today, and I want to explain to my constituents why I support this decision.
The decision to commit our military to action of any sort is the most serious any government can take.
Those decisions have to be legal, morally right, and result in action that makes a difference.
The legitimate government of Iraq has asked for our help, and so any action that we take in Iraq is lawful.
If the House of Commons agrees, we will engage in air strikes only. UK troops will not be deployed in ground combat operations - the air power of the international coalition will help to support Iraq and Kurdish forces on the ground.
And it is clear that the UK has some unique military capabilities that means our participation will make a difference.
Isil are a terrorist group whose indiscriminate barbarity is from the dark ages. The have indiscriminately murdered and abused innocent muslim civilians, murdered hostages from the UK and other countries, and threaten attacks around the world.
Morally, the world must act against this threat.
I do not believe the people of this country would want the UK to stand idly when we are threatened in this way.
I am very proud of the stance that Charles Kennedy and the Liberal Democrats took against the attack on Iraq in 2003. Today is very different: we have been asked to help defend Iraq against an enemy that threatens the values we believe in.
I hope this helps to explain the stance I have taken, and that you will support the action that the UK intends to take.
With best wishes,
Danny Alexander
MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.
Westminster.