BURY South MP Ivan Lewis will vote against government plans to authorise air strikes against ISIS in Syria.

He said that the proposal “is being driven by a short term, tactical and understandably emotional response” to the Paris attacks risks unintended consequences.

A debate and vote on the matter is due to be held in the House of Commons tomorrow, while Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who also opposes the plans, has granted Labour MPs a free vote.

David Nuttall, the Conservative MP for Bury North, said last week that he was minded to vote in favour of extending military action against ISIS.

Mr Lewis said: “Having considered the facts and listened to different perspectives I have reached a decision based on my judgment of how ultimately ISIS are most likely to be defeated. A defeat which is essential to our security here in the UK and greater stability in the Middle East.

“Taking account of lessons from past military interventions and having considered the case made by David Cameron, I do not believe extending UK air strikes to Syria at the present time is justified.

“In my view, the current proposal is being driven by a short term, tactical and understandably emotional response to the horrendous atrocities in Paris.

“It is a standalone gesture which risks unintended consequences when what is needed is a credible strategic plan. I am sceptical that extending or reordering UK air strikes against ISIS from Iraq to Syria now is an urgent imperative or will make a significant difference to degrading their capacity. It is also fanciful to imply that there is a groundforce of 70000 in Syria ready and able to fight.”

He said the UK should play a leading role in developing a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS, which would require a political settlement, major reconstruction and humanitarian support, and other measures.

He added: “I want to make it clear that I respect the views of colleagues who have reached a different conclusion to my own. I hope people will accept they are acting in good faith and should not be subject to abuse or political intimidation.

“The barbarism and fascist ideology of ISIL must be defeated and this will almost certainly require amongst other things military action on the ground by regional forces. In the future they may require targeted support from the air.

“However, the requirement for such support would have to be considered on its merits as part of a comprehensive strategy and take full account of the potential impact on civilians. The current proposal is a short term tactical measure which will neither strengthen our national security nor enhance the protection of innocent civilians from brutality and murder.”