HAMPSHIRE MPS have roundly voiced their support for the government's proposal to launch airstrikes against ISIS militants in Iraq.

Parliament has been reconvened today for the debate over whether the UK should take part in the air strikes.

Across party lines, members from across Hampshire's constituencies appeared to be favouring the move but registered their reluctance to commit to any further action on the ground.

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis who led a back-bench revolt against the proposal to back action in the Syrian civil war last year, said he would be in favour of air strikes in the current circumstances; but he said they alone would not be sufficient.

“It would need to be done in coordination with troops on the ground but these must be supplied by the Arab countries in that region.”

He said to put British troops in on the ground would “play into the hands” of the militants who would capitalise on what they would see as an attack led by the west.

That caution was echoed by county colleagues including Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton. He said: “It obviously would not be something we would even think about taking part in if the regional governments were not prepared to do that. I think for the time being we can provide this sort of air cover and Special Forces support and see how that plays out, before we even think of any further action like putting boots on the ground.”

Mark Hoban, Fareham MP added his support to committing UK air support, but added: “Any action by us with regards to ground troops would have to be a decision taken when the government felt there was a possible need to do so, but we would have to very much know the arguments involved in that.

“I think our strength at the moment is bringing together this coalition of countries and organisations including the UN and NATO.”

MP for Southampton Test Alan Whitehead described IS as “effectively a group of international pirates who have hijacked civil countries”.

He predicted a united response from the house, saying he was in agreement with the action.

Meanwhile, Southampton Itchen MP, John Denham, who resigned from the government after the Iraq War, tweeted: “In 2003 I resigned over Iraq, but in 1992 I called for intervention in Bosnia. This is a 1992 moment, not a 2003 [one].”

Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery also condemned the actions of IS saying he was “entirely supportive of direct British military involvement”.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said she was going into today's vote with “an open mind” and would make her mind up after hearing the debate.

“I am very cautions of any sort of military intervention as these decisions that are taken have a very direct and tangible impact on the people of Gosport given its military and naval links.”

The decision to launch air strikes in Iraq follows the murder of British aid worker David Haines.

Alan Henning, another aid worker, and John Cantlie, a journalist, are also being held by the terrorists.