The decision to begin airstrikes in Syria has provoked debate around the country. Pic: US Air Force

In one of the most important decisions of this parliament, MPs will vote tonight on whether to join the US, France and Russia in bombing Islamic State targets in Syria.

While Prime Minister David Cameron says Islamic State is a major threat to Britain’s security, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a former chair of Stop the War and lifetime peace campaiger is against bombing. This has triggered deep divisions inside the Labour Party, with many of the Shadow Cabinet in favour.

Against the backdrop of the Paris attacks, the issue has also provoked debate around the country, with many fearing Britain will become sucked into a conflict on the ground with no clear outcome.

We asked MPs, local councillors and members of the public: Should we bomb Syria?

Diane Abbott

Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and shadow cabinet member:

“No, because I don’t think bombing will defeat or destroy ISIS. The USA has been bombing ISIS for a year and they’ve been growing. The solutions are democracy and diplomacy.”

Morris Mohlala

Morris Mohlala, 66, retired, Whitechapel:

“No. I do not agree with it at all. I actually lived in Egypt and the sentiment of a lot of people in the Middle East and in North Africa is that there has been interference from America and the West. They should attack the resources of ISIS which is oil, drugs and agriculture. That’s where they get a lot of their money. There have been too many casualties – innocent Syrian people who are dying [as] collateral damage.”

Jack Mooney

Jack Mooney, 28, retail manager, Brixton:
“No, because I think part of the reason we’re in this situation now is because of what we done before in the Middle East. It’s a massive knee jerk reaction to what’s happened in France, which is obviously terrible. But I think there’s a better way of dealing rather than just steaming in, which is what it looks like we’re going to do.”

Oliur Rahman

Oliur Rahman, Independent Group councillor for Stepney Green ward, Tower Hamlets:

“The solution has to be to work collaboratively to cut the finances of Daesh rather than an indiscriminate bombing of the Syrian people – including women and children. Many other countries have been carrying such air strikes by dropping bombs for a while without a real success. We must not simply think in bombs but we should also engage our brains.”

Keith Garlick

Keith Garlick, 61, pensions associate, West Croydon:

“I’m not convinced, at the moment. I’m not against it in principle but I am concerned that there is no clear objective and there’s no cohesive plan. I don’t think there’s much protection for civilian against civilian casualties so I am quite concerned at the moment but something has to be done but I’m not quite sure this is the answer now.”

Rosemary Harper

Rosemary Harper, 67, retired, Selsdon:

“It’s a tricky one. I don’t support going into countries the way it is at the moment, what started all this was going into Iraq. This is what started all this. There was no trouble before then; they shouldn’t have gone in, with Tony Blair and Bush. You can’t go into other countries like that. There was nothing before like ISIS.”

Gavin Barwell

Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for Croydon Central:

“These are never easy decisions but on balance I support UK forces attacking Daesh in Syria as well as in Iraq. Lots of people are very nervous about us getting involved in Syria because of our experience in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. Even with the use of the most precise weapon systems some civilian casualties are inevitable. But we have to weigh the price of taking action against the price of doing nothing.”

Brian Burton

Brian Burton, 67, retired, Dalston:

“Yeah, in principle I do. We’re gonna be targeted anyway…it’s only civilian casualties we’ve got to be worried about but the region’s up in the air…I can’t see much of a solution unless you put boots on the ground. It is a very complicated thing. I don’t think we know how many groups we’d be fighting in Syria…who do you fight, and who do you leave in control?”

Daniel Lucht

Daniel Lucht, 42, consultant, Shoreditch:

“Well, I think if there was a strategy in place for what happens after the bombing and what happens after ISIS has been moved, then maybe it would be a good idea to actually remove them. But, equally, the last campaigns in Iraq and Libya leave a bad taste in your mouth. But I also have to say I can understand the reaction of the French government…you can’t just do nothing.”

Andrew Wood

Andrew Wood, Conservative councillor for Canary Wharf, :“Yes, I would support the vote to bomb Daesh in Syria. If we allow Daesh to exist in Syria they can consolidate their power and attack [other sites in the Middle East]. We need to destabilise them and weaken them. The easiest way to do that is by
joining our allies – France and the US.”

Jane Smith

Jane Smith, 53, artist, Dalston:

“I just cannot make my mind up, I’m afraid. I just can’t, because I can see both sides of [the argument]. It’s never good to bomb anywhere, but definitely …we need to get rid of ISIS one way or another, don’t we? So yes, it’s a difficult choice, it’s a tough one.”

Mahbub Alam

Mahbub Alam, Independent councillor for St Dunstans, Tower Hamlets: 

“[I] attended the Anti-War demo with thousands outside Westminster, sending a clear message to our MPs #NoWar #DontBombSyria #VoteNo. A simple logic and a simple message; bombing will only bring destruction and remove any chance of peace. We don’t know the decision that will be made tonight, but we wanted the world to know that many in the UK DO NOT support this unjust, cruel war. The warmongers who happen to unfortunately lead us, do not represent the views of all”

Michael Grant

Michael Grant, 56, electrician, Dalston:

“No. They’ve just come out of a war, they wanna go back in a war, there’s people who don’t have nothing in England and they’re cutting child benefits…why go to war? Why not bring [funding] back to places where they need it at home? Jeremy Corbyn disagrees with it but he’s got his rebellious party behind him and they’re gonna vote for [the airstrikes]. England is just a warmonger…they like to war.”

Adam Rae

Adam Rae, 28, stuntman, Brockley:

“No. I don’t support bombing, of any kind, anywhere. I don’t see a solution but I don’t think that’s a mandate for bombing. I think it all needs to be considered.”

Chris Philp

Chris Philp, Conservative MP for Croydon South:

“Yes, I support it. ISIL are actively threatening the security of their own region and Western Europe.”

Bri Harrison

Bri Harrison, 23, unemployed, New Cross:

“I don’t think it’s right to retaliate with violence. I don’t think bombing is the answer. I think discussion, or some other way of communicating, what we want from what they want and what is going on.”

Thomas Stukings

Thomas Stukings, 21, student, New Cross:

“They should vote against…try to find a political solution. There’s too much danger to the citizens. When Obama said that ISIS are stronger than ever, [the US] had been bombing them for over a year so clearly [their approach] has not been working. We should take the higher ground and find a way to work with moderate rebel forces…the only way to get through this mess is to re-stabilise and rebuild, through our aid and help – not through bombs.”

Ohid Ahmed

Ohid Ahmed, Independent Group councillor for Lansbury, Tower Hamlets:

“I believe that this kind of bombing will create more problems and wreak havoc. I am against it completely. Historically, we have created more problems through war.”

By Isabel Togoh and Paul McGowan

Follow Isabel Togoh on Twitter: @bissieness