Iraq: Coalition Against ISIL

Debate between Ed Miliband and Ian Davidson

Friday 26th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op)]

rose—

[Edward Miliband]

I will not give way again.

The late Robin Cook said this in his resignation speech on the eve of the Iraq war:

“Our interests are best protected not by unilateral action but by multilateral agreement and a world order governed by rules.”—[Official Report, 17 March 2003; Vol. 401, c. 726.]

This is multilateral action, prompted by a legitimate democratic state; and a world order governed by rules, if it is about anything, must be about protecting a democratic state, which is what the motion before us is about. I believe that, although this is difficult, it is the right thing to do. There is no graver decision for our Parliament and our country, but protecting our national interest, security and the values for which we stand is why I will be supporting the motion this afternoon.