Kettering MP only Northamptonshire member of Parliament to vote against air strikes in Syria

Kettering MP Philip Hollobone has visited NITAL Training and Development

Kettering MP Philip Hollobone was among seven Conservatives nationally who voted against the decision that was eventually approved after a 10-hour debate by 397 votes to 223.

Northampton MPs Michael Ellis and David Mackintosh voted for air strikes, along with South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom, Daventry MP Chris Heaton-Harris, Corby MP Tom Pursglove and Wellingborough MP Peter Bone.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Ellis said: “I do support the strikes. I have listened very carefully the Prime Minster’s statement, he has already given a very powerful speech on the matter.

Northampton North MP Michael Ellis has backed calls for a public inquiry into the sorry Sixfields saga.

“In my view we cannot outsource our defence to other countries. We are already under attack from Daesh (IS).

“Security services have already foiled seven attacks on home soil in the past 12 months.

“There is no reason why we should wait for any longer.”

Also speaking yesterday, Mr Mackintosh added: “The terrible events in Paris and earlier this year in Tunisia and Sharm el-Sheikh have demonstrated the scale of the threat that we face from ISIL.

David Mackintosh, MP for Northampton South

“Earlier today I attended a security briefing with the Defence, Foreign, International Development and Home Secretaries to find out the security situation we face and I have now decided to support the Prime Minister’s position in Parliament tomorrow and extend the air strikes to Syria.

“The RAF is already carrying out airstrikes against ISIL targets in support of Iraqi forces on the ground, which is helping to push ISIL out of parts of Iraq but we need to go further to protect our own national security and destroy ISIL,” he said.

Writing on his Facebook post, Mr Heaton-Harris said: “What must be understood is that “IS” is a terrorist organisation unlike those we have dealt with before. Their brutality is staggering: beheadings, crucifixions, using rape as a weapon and slaughtering children, to name just a few examples.

“They happily kill fellow Muslims in huge numbers and desecrate religious sites. I firmly believe that the UK must play its part in destroying these evil extremists.”