Northampton South’s Conservative MP, Brian Binley, has warned the Government against intervening in Syria, claiming it would do “more harm than good”.
Writing in his blog, the politician said: “I urge caution on those who call for Western intervention, not because I’m a supporter of President Assad and his monstrous government, but because I fear that if we’re not careful we’ll end up contributing to bloodshed on an even more awful scale and establishing a platform for even greater levels of religious extremism.”
After the issue of arming the Syrian rebels was raised in Prime Minister’s Questions today, the MP said such a decision would be “an absolute disaster”.
He argued that any arming of the opposition would be countered by Russian support for Assad, leading to an escalation of firepower on both sides, with terrible consequences for the civilian population.
He also warned that intervention could have more far-reaching effects, adding: “Involvement in the war would play directly into the hands of extremist recruiters who regale young Muslims with a narrative of Western interference and oppression dating back to the crusades.
“I for one don’t want our children and grandchildren to have to pay the price in the future for a rushed decision to intervene in Syria now.”