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Syria airstrikes approved by MPs

Most West MPs vote for airstrikes against Syria while a thousand people protest against them in Bristol.

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Bristol Labour MP to vote against air strikes in Syria

Kerry was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Bristol East in May 2005 Credit: PA Gareth Fuller

MPs are preparing to vote on whether to join coalition airstrikes in Syria. David Cameron called a one-day Commons debate which will begin today (Dec 2) and will finish later today around 10pm.

Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East, has written a statement on why she has taken the stance to "vote against air strikes".

You can read her full statement here.

Many constituents have expressed their fears that intervention in Syria would significantly increase the risk of attacks on the UK.

Of course, the security of British citizens is of paramount importance to me as an MP, but it is clear that ISIL and similar groups already pose a substantial threat to us all. The horrific attacks in Paris last month are a reminder of this.

It could easily have taken place on British soil. And of course, we should not forget the deaths of 30 British holidaymakers in Tunisia earlier this year. British intelligence agencies have revealed that seven ISIL plots targeting Britain have been foiled in the last year alone, and that there is a clear connection between the threats we face and ISIL headquarters in Raqqa.

It should also be noted that we are already involved in action against ISIL in Iraq, and are providing support to other countries for action against ISIL in Syria.

– Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East
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Syria airstrikes approved by MPs

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