People are tweeting in protest against Theresa May's likely decision to involve the UK in US military action against Syria.
On Saturday, a suspected chemical weapons attack in the previously rebel-held city of Douma killed more than 40 people, the BBC reported. Donald Trump seems ready to attack, tweeting on Wednesday that missiles "will be coming", although it's unclear when. On Thursday morning Trump said cryptically it "could be very soon or not so soon at all".
The prime minister today summoned the cabinet to discuss whether or not the UK will join the US in its military response, and it is believed she may be willing to go ahead without the backing of MPs, who are away from Westminster until next week, reported the BBC.
Many people on Twitter are outraged at the thought of UK involvement in the attack, with the hashtag #NotInMyNameTheresaMay trending countrywide on Thursday morning.
In a poll by Twitter user Rachael Swindon, posted just before 9pm on Wednesday, more than 86% of the nearly 22,000 people who had voted by Thursday morning said they were against air strikes.
So Theresa May admits she's not sure who's behind the awful chemical attack, but she's going to bomb Syria anyway, without the backing of Parliament. This is about to be the start of a very tragic chapter in our history. Complete and utter madness. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— Rachael (@Rachael_Swindon) April 11, 2018
Just over 9,000 votes in a few hours. Currently 86% are opposed to Theresa May committing to dropping bombs on Syria. https://t.co/FSLM2hTn0z
— Rachael (@Rachael_Swindon) April 11, 2018
Here is a sample of some of the tweets employing the hashtag to protest so far...
No mandate from public or Parliament, no UN resolution, no genuine investigation of facts, no serious plan for what comes next for people in Syria; the UK govt has no authority to follow Trump into a possible confrontation with Russia #NotInMyNameTheresaMay pic.twitter.com/Q1Popu8KQa
— LeanneWood 🏴 (@LeanneWood) April 12, 2018
If as is expected, the US re-enters the Syrian conflict...and Theresa May disgracefully and arrogantly follows them without democratic process... it will cost her. Rational population see through irresponsible recklessness and faux steeliness #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— Paul Smith (@Paul_Smith82) April 11, 2018
@theresa_may how dare you? How absolutely dare you. You are a weak PM with a very weak majority and blood already on your hands. You will get a fight, but not with Syria. You'll get a fight back from within. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— Suz Roffe #NHSLOVE 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@sue_roffe) April 11, 2018
When the most enthusiastic people wanting to Bomb Syria are Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and Dan Hodges, that should be a sign that this is a seriously bad idea with no longer term plan. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— 🇰🇷Shlomo🇨🇷 (@hapoelpolitics) April 12, 2018
They say it’s necessary to cut my school’s funding but the money appears out of thin air when they want to go to war in the Middle East. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— Hasan Patel 🌹 (@CorbynistaTeen) April 12, 2018
Many tweets drew parallels between potential action in Syria now and the Iraq war, with some suggesting UK involvement in the country could trigger mass protests akin to those against Iraq in 2003.
British people: “Remember #Iraq. Do NOT bomb #Syria”.
— russjackson (@docrussjackson) April 11, 2018
Theresa May: “I can’t hear yooooo”!#NotInMyNameTheresaMay#FFSStopVotingTory pic.twitter.com/GqMhl9nz5u
I was 12 when Iraq kicked off. I knew it was a mistake then. I know action in Syria is a mistake now.
— Man Like Mike 🌹 (@19MF91) April 11, 2018
My enemy is not Syria. My enemy is the Tory government. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
Have we learned nothing from Iraq??...This Isn't Thatcher and the Falklands..You won't be lauded..
— Simon T James (@SJT78508478) April 11, 2018
So agree to inspectors going in and stay out.. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
#NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— Janet (@JanetHughes04) April 11, 2018
We will Occupy central London if you take the U.K. to war against Syria.
We will bring central London to a standstill @theresa_may
I was at the Iraq protests in London 15 years ago. I will do whatever it takes this time to oppose any British involvement in another preposterous, foreign intervention. #NotInMyNameTheresaMay
— Richard Thomas (@RickyThomasblog) April 11, 2018
Stop the War Coalition has already announced a 'Don't Bomb Syria' protest due to take place outside Downing Street on Friday 13th April from 5pm.
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