AT the time of writing, the Commons is still building up to the vote on action in Syria.

By the time you are reading this, the vote will have taken place and I will have voted in favour of air strikes.

I am aware this is a difficult decision for some constituents to accept. It is one the most momentous decisions I have been called upon to make and I have not taken the responsibility lightly. I have thought seriously about the arguments and have drawn on my exposure last year to the Royal College of Defence Studies senior course, where I undertook a degree in International Security and Strategy.

I understand the fear of many that action will provoke reprisals but we are already a target of ISIL – not because of what we do but because of who we are. Our security services foiled seven attacks on British targets in the past year.

I recognise the narrative that says that violence begets violence and I do not deny the kernel of psychological truth at the heart of that but I think to apply it in this case is to misunderstand ISIL’s ideology. Their aim is the obliteration of the west and they have no interest in co-existence on any terms.

This menace requires a comprehensive approach – one that also increases domestic security and bolsters the intelligence services – who are already doing so much to limit the existing threat.

It will need painstaking work to build a representative and benign government in the area and this may take many years. But it is not true the actions of our allies are having no effect – they are influencing ground-based movements and they are restricting the flow of oil – a key means of limiting ISIL’s income and influence. I have come to the view Britain cannot stand on the sidelines.