UNION leaders have called Labour rebels who sided with the Conservative Government to back bombing Syria “barbarians” who have put war before public services.
Around 100 people braved the wind and rain of Storm Desmond in Glasgow to protest at the bombs now raining down on Islamic State targets in Syria.
Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn was among 66 Labour MPs who defied the will of leader Jeremy Corbyn to vote against the bombing after they were given a free vote.
Stephen Smellie, deputy convener of Unison Scotland, addressed protesters waving banners saying “Don’t Bomb Syria” and “Pants To Bombing Syria” alongside flags for the Communist Party and fledgling Scottish independence party Rise.
He welcomed the response of Scottish MPs who voted overwhelmingly against the bombing, all except Tory Scottish Secretary David Mundell and Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, who has appeared in court for lying during the General Election.
Mr Smellie said: “What is being done in our name is not in our name.
“The fact that 57 out the 59 MSPs in Scotland – all of them except a liar and a Tory – did not vote for bombing Syria is something that we can be proud of.
“I have visited Kurdistan, stood on the Turkish side of the border and watched the Isis flag flying over Kobani.
“I’ve spoken to people there and they are not in favour of us bombing Syria.
“Let’s be clear – innocent people will be killed.
“All those Labour MPs who demanded a free vote were actually demanding the right to vote to kill people.
“Who is this going to benefit?”
To cries of “shame” from protesters, Mr Smellie said: “It’s no coincidence that shares in weapons manufacturers went through the roof after the vote this week.
“They’re benefiting from war and the death of innocent people.
“And of course the oil industry want control of the oil in that region.
“We have reduced ourselves to the level of barbarians supposedly to defend civilisation.”
Pam Currie, vice president of the Educational Institute of Scotland’s Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA), said: “We have been told there is no money for lecturers, class teachers and frontline services, and yet overnight they can find millions of pounds to bomb Syria.
“They can continue to attack Afghanistan and Iraq. There’s always money for war but there is no money for public services.
“We are balloting for strike action at the moment to challenge this Government’s austerity agenda and the idea that there is no money for services but there is money for bombs and bullets.”Nicola Sturgeon ‘deeply troubled’ by air strikes in Syria – click here to read more
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