Douglas Carswell's Blog

Libya: so what's the plan?

Today the Commons debates Libya.

I'm open-minded (undecided?) about the need for military intervention.  But before I make up my mind, I'd like several questions answered.

What are we getting ourselves into, and what is the scope of our intervention?

And who is "we"?  Does it include democratic Turkey or post-popular uprising Egypt?  If not, why not?  

Today's Commons debates needs to convince me that Britain is not simply calling for a "no fly" zone because that is what some 1990s Tory Prime Minister once did - and it has become a sort of default policy option when in Downing Street.

What is the aim and purpose of this military intervention?  If establishing air superiority does little to arrest the advance of pro-Gadaffi forces, what then?  Is there, dare I say it, an underlying philosophy behind our statecraft? Simply seeking "what works" is not enough.

Having well-considered policy on all these things is not the same as a having a carefully-crafted phrase or two.  This afternoon we need to hear that.

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